Announcing a remorseful planned operation, Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel alerts the community that the removal of six old trees located around the Kildare Circle in Newlands is necessary to mitigate continuing infestation by Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) in the area.
“This is the first significant public removal of trees that are infested by the PSHB beetle. Prior to this, all the removals have either been only individual trees on private properties or individual trees tucked away from obvious public sites,” Manuel motivates.
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He points out the Kildare Circle connecting Kildare Road and Main Street is a significantly popular public square with a concentration of restaurants surrounding these Boxelder maple trees that “really frame the character of the Newlands and Claremont community.”
Manuel says all six trees have become infested with the PSHB beetle, which was first spotted at the end of last year. Since then, officials have done a number of investigations and determined that the tree removal project is to start on Monday 20 May and should last about eight days.
These trees will be cut down and then chips from the wood will be placed into black bags and left in the sun to be solarised for a period of time.
“We have a depot that receives these black bags,” he said. “The heat of the sun in those bags kills the beetle. The stump of each tree will also be covered with black plastic that needs to be covered for at least three months.”
Trees to be replaced
Manuel vows that all six trees will be replaced in the course of next year.
“I know the residents of Newlands and Claremont are incredibly passionate about our trees. We have a lot of very mature trees, and so it is important that we actually try and stop the spread of this beetle from this point because it really is the biggest showing of this beetle so far in such a public location.”
Once they are able to slow it down there remains the hope to save as many other trees as possible in the long term.
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There are more than six trees at this public square and Manuel ensures not all the trees will be removed “only the six Boxelder trees which are significantly infested with the beetle.
“I call on all residents who believe their trees or come across a tree that may be infested with the beetle, please to report that immediately to the Invasive Species Unit of the City of Cape Town and we will investigate it and decide which necessary steps are to be taken.”
Meanwhile, when the contractors undertake the work Manuel urges residents to please remain patient.
“Of course it makes me quite sad as I’m sure all residents will be moved to see such a character changing event happening in our area but it is the responsible thing to do. We need to slow down this beetle as much as possible.”
