Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is busy mapping and ground-truthing at the Joburg Zoo to determine the number of trees infected by polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
City Parks arboriculturist Adelaide Chokoe said, “The number of trees infested will then be verified and a dedicated team will be enlisted to ensure that where necessary, the dead trees are removed and accordingly chipped and solarised.”
Chokoe said that some London planes and oaks at the zoo have so far been identified as displaying symptoms associated with PSHB.
“Light and the moderate infestation has been identified in the trees that have been infested so far. This is similar for other infected trees in areas outside the zoo including Killarney, Parktown and Saxonwold,” said Chokoe.
Only dead trees will be removed, as per the City Parks policy.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) is in the process of declaring the beetle a category B alien invasive pest. Once declared, there will be programmes that will offer guidance on managing PSHB infestation in various parts of the country.
Residents, in the interim, are requested to register all dead infested trees to trees@jhbcityparks.com or call 011 375 5555.
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