A new tree by-law, although still some time off, is being considered to address the scourge of bark stripping and bark ringing that are killing street trees.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community service and health, says incidents of bark and root harvesting have increased and have become an ongoing concern throughout the city.
“In particular in Durbanville, Bellville, City Central, Southern Suburbs, Kirstenbosch (SANParks land), Table Mountain National Park and Newlands conservation areas. Five C3 notifications (service requests) were logged for bark stripping incidents in the southern suburbs during October,” says Van Der Ross.
People’s Post recently reported on the spike of trees being stripped on pavements.
Bark stripping is the removal of thin strips of bark whereas bark ringing is when the entire layer of bark is removed from the full circumference of the tree.
The “harvested” bark is dried and pulverised for medicinal or cultural reasons.
Trees (indigenous and exotic) that are affected are mainly Camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora), Norfolk pines (Araucaria spp), Cape Beech (Rapanea sp), Cape Holly (IIex mitis), Assegai (Curtisia dentata) and Fever trees (Vachellia xanthophloea).
Van der Ross says the City’s Recreation and Parks Department team has already painted many target trees with PVA paint as an urgent preventative measure.
“The paint mixture does not pose any risk to the tree and renders the bark unattractive for harvesting,” she explains.
To prevent this trend from continuing, Van der Ross says the City is considering a new tree by-law that may address this issue more effectively.
“As this is an extensive exercise, it may take some time to introduce this,” she adds.
At present, two by-laws make it illegal for people to vandalise trees growing on City-owned property, including all street verges, public places and parks.
According to the Public Parks Bylaw, “no person other than an authorised official shall plant or prune a tree or shrub, or in any way cut down a tree or a shrub, in a public park or remove it therefrom, except with the written permission of the Director: City Parks”. A R1 000 fine may apply.
It also states that, unless permitted by a notice, no person may climb a tree growing in a public park or, break or damage such tree. In such a case, a fine of R500 may be issued.
Lastly, no person may in any way mark or paint any tree growing in a public park or attach any advertisement thereto. This offence comes with a R1 000 fine.
Then there is also the by-law relating to Streets, Public Parks and Prevention of Nuisance.
The “Trees in streets” section states that “no person other than a duly authorised City official shall plant a tree or shrub in a public road, or in any way cut down a tree or a shrub in a public road or remove it therefrom, except with the written permission of the City (R300 fine)”.
It goes on to say that no person may climb, break or damage a tree growing in a public road (R300 fine), or in any way mark or paint any tree growing in a public road or attach any advertisement thereto (R500 fine).
However, Van der Ross adds that bark stripping is difficult to police and prosecute as these incidents occur outside ordinary working hours, with no witnesses or evidence indicating culprits.
“The recreation and parks department is working tirelessly to avoid the destruction of trees. However, more incidents have occurred and we need communities to assist us by spreading the word to heighten awareness and to report any bark-stripping incidents that they come across.”
- Public can report sightings to the City’s law enforcement department by calling 021 480 7700 or 107 (all hours) or sending an email to arborist@capetown.gov.za / RP.Enquiries@capetown.gov.za
