Track PSHB with the Rosebank Killarney Gazette in 2019

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) has been a hot topic on the agenda of residents associations, researchers and members of the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo during 2019.

The Rosebank Killarney Gazette recaps our stories concerning the infamous beetle during the past year.

In February, following much talk about the beetle in 2018, MMC for Community Development Nonhlanhla Sifumba said that it is too early to classify the outbreak of PSHB as a disaster, prompting anger from many arborists and residents associations.

Following much disagreement from community members regarding the apparent lack of communication from City Parks concerning the borer, the City arranged a meeting with community members, addressing the issue and requesting partnerships to bring about a solution.

In April, Professor Wilhelm de Beer of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (Fabi) addressed tree fellers, owners of nurseries, landscapers and others in the green industry on how to prevent the spread of the borer.

Houghton resident Glenda Wheeler also hosted a community event inviting residents to view a demonstration at her home by arborist Anton Moller on how to care for trees on your property in order to prevent infestation.

Later in April, City Parks responded to calls for highly infested trees to be removed, maintaining a cautious stance of only removing dead trees.

Later in the year, residents associations including the Parktown North Residents and Ratepayers Association and Lower Houghton Residents Association devised strategies for dealing with the borer in their neighbourhoods, aligning with experts to lead the way.

Rumours of a new cure sparked curiosity among residents, however, experts confirmed that the alleged ‘cure’ is only approved for use in forestry and not urban areas.

In August, City Parks began their second major borer blitz operation, removing 21 dead trees in Dunkeld West, following successful blitz operations in Craighall earlier in the year.

The Rosebank Killarney Gazette, who has followed the discussion since early 2018, decided to do something to help this scourge and launched the #ProtectOurTrees campaign in print editions of the Gazette, educating residents about the borer, possible solutions and more. The team joined hands to plant a false olive tree at the Glenhove intersection in Houghton, encouraging residents to follow suit to prevent the devastation caused by the destructive beetle.

Continue to follow the Gazette to find out more about PSHB in 2020.