Despite reports that a new ‘cure’ has been found to deal with the borer infesting Johannesburg’s urban forest, the product has not been approved for urban use.
Specialist programme manager at the Department of Environmental Affairs Debbie Muir said, “One fungicide has been registered by the Registrar Act 36 of 1947 for the PSHB [polyphagous shot hole borer] but it is for use in forestry, so any other applications would be considered off label.”
Arborist Julian Ortlepp commented on this saying, “This is a classic example of how out of touch the authorities are. We desperately need it in the urban space and this has been excluded.”
According to Ortlepp, the spread of the beetle is of great concern for the entire country.
“In my opinion, containment in Joburg is now a non-issue because the city is so severely infested by PSHB… We have to plant trees now, just not productive host trees… We will never know what trees are not as susceptible if we do not plant. We cannot push pause with planting. We must do so now more than ever before.”
Hilton Fryer, who published an article about the list of trees impacted by PSHB, has also identified its spread to Delta Park, though Johannesburg City Parks could not confirm this.
The spokesperson for Johannesburg City Parks Jenny Moodley said six trees were now infested with the beetle at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia.
Fryer’s research, which included surveying a number of PSHB specialists across South Africa, concluded that 21 tree species have been identified as reproductive hosts in South Africa. There is also evidence of PSHB in 151 tree species, with the box elder being the most highly infested tree.
Fryer advises residents to avoid hastily chopping down trees. “Don’t chop down trees prematurely just because you have been told that you have shot hole borer – get informed first and take your time when making a decision. You do have numerous options to save your trees.”
“It’s not a foregone conclusion that an infested tree will die – preventative treatment on a lightly infested tree can have great outcomes – while treatment applied to a heavily infested tree cannot undo damage already done, it may save the tree or at least prolong its life.
Details: www.rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/shot-hole-borer/
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