Whispers through the willow

Due to the rainy weather, a giant willow tree has been uprooted and now lies on its side in the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens near the car park on Louw Geldenhuys Drive.

Local residents, Winty and Rob Thomson, are worried City Parks will destroy the tree as it is an obstruction on a path in the gardens. Winty believes it is a very old tree and may date back to when the area was part of the Braamfontein Farm established by Frans and Louw Geldenhuys. She feels so strongly about the tree that she made a sign and placed it on the willow as if the tree were talking. The sign proclaimed that it was alive and asked passers by to save it. “I think it would make a wonderful climbing tree for children,” Winty said.

However, City Parks marketing manager, Jenny Moodley, explained there are certain procedures City Parks has in place to deal with fallen trees. “Fallen trees are removed especially if it is restricting traffic flow or is on a main road. Since this willow is in the park, the turn around time for removing trees is 14 days. Willow trees are invasive which is one reason why it would be removed. City Parks is currently working to remove all trees that have fallen due to the weather but if it is not causing an obstruction, fallen trees may be left as they normally create their own ecosystem and add value to the environment,” said Moodley.

Ward 88 Councillor, Pat Richards, backed up City Parks and said, “City Parks does not like removing trees, they do the best they can and only remove trees when absolutely necessary.”

It is not entirely certain whether or not the willow will be removed completely or only partially but for now the willow rests in peace.

Details: City Parks, 011 712 6600.

Related articles:

Surfs up at Emmarentia Dam dam