Durban’s Pine trees targeted for bark

DESTRUCTION of trees in Umbilo and Berea has angered residents, who say the removal of the bark, allegedly for medicinal purposes, is killing the plants.

Umbilo resident, Carol Mast-Ingle, brought this practice to the attention of Berea Mail last week, when she reported a Norfolk Pine tree had been hacked at and its bark removed.

Since then, reports have come from others, stating trees near Dunkirk Park in Umbilo, Berea Park, as well as Currie Road, have also been ‘mutilated’ by people removing bark.

Commenting on the incident in Umbilo Road, Mast-Ingle told the Northglen News’s sister paper, the Berea Mail that as far as she knew, people selling or using bark for traditional, medicinal reasons were allowed to take bark off trees, however the destruction of the tree in Umbilo Road was beyond horrendous.

She said she only discovered how badly the tree had been hacked at last week, when she saw the destruction.

The bark had been pulled off around the tree, with resin seen oozing out, almost like tears.

“I worked at DUT for many years and emailed a former HOD of horticulture regarding this. I am waiting for feedback and any advice or assistance. I also contacted Councillor Mmabatho Tembe, and she said she would forward this to the Parks Department,” she said.

Mast-Ingle said she walked past the tree often and she couldn’t believe what had been done to it.

“I hope this tree can be saved. It is in trauma and needs treatment to rescue it. I have done all I can, but now the municipality needs to take action,” she said.

Berea resident Ken Wade said this has also been done to two tall pines next to his flat in Currie Road.

“This has been happening since July, and I am worried that these beautiful trees are going to die. It takes years for these trees to grow so tall, and my other concern is that they could fall on my property,” he said.

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Berea Mail contacted eThekwini Municipality to highlight this issue.

In light of the destruction to a tree in Berea last week, ward 31 councillor, Charmaine Clayton, commented on this issue, stating the cutting and hacking of bark from trees is a real shame, and shows her that the people doing this do not realise the value of having trees in the environment.

“I’ve spoken to the horticulturist for the area, and she has agreed that the Parks Department needs to educate people on the values of having trees in areas. I am totally against the destruction of and hacking down of trees and I will be working closely with law enforcement to make certain that the alleged perpetrators are brought to book. I will work together with them to ask how we can issue heavy fines regarding this,” she said.

Commenting on allegations on bark being used for muti, Dr Siphiwe John Mahlaba, from the African National Healers Association, said: “When we talk about trees, we are talking about a natural, God-given product that has provided healing to people since the beginning of humanity. It is not for me to say whether they are collecting muti for healing or not. If the people of that area are worried about them then they should call the police and the police should ask them to explain. A healer needs a permit to work if they are digging muti or anything else. They need to have a verifiable permit so there are no problems when people or police ask them. The organisation has registered healers who have permission to carry out their work.”  

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