Trees chopped down illegally at Field and Study Park
PARKMORE - Residents are concerned by the alleged illegal tree felling taking place at the Field and Study Park in Parkmore.
This according to Heather Oosthuizen, a Parkmore resident who said she and other residents have noticed that there was a man who was apparently illegally cutting down trees in the park.
“He has removed approximately eight trees from the park without permission,” she explained.
“I feel that if this guy isn’t shown some form of consequence for his wrongdoing, he will continue to harvest from our public open spaces, and if others join in this lucrative activity, it could get out of hand quite quickly. It poses a threat to all our parks.”
Read Field and Study bid farewell to old trees
Oosthuizen said the park had a number of unguarded assets and needed security urgently.
Jenny Moodley, spokesperson for City Parks said they were currently investigating the matter. She explained, “The only entity authorised to identify, remove or prune trees that are dead, diseased or decayed is Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Street Trees Department.”
Moodley added that the penalties for illegally felling a City asset included a fine, rehabilitation of the area and the replacement value of the tree.
She encouraged residents to register contraventions with the Metro police bylaw enforcement unit.
Details: Metro police bylaw enforcement unit 011 375 5911.
Tell us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page if your park is also experiencing any illegal tree felling
