A decision by an upmarket residential estate to prune protected yellowwood trees has ruffled feathers in the Garden Route town of George.
Some residents of Kraaibosch Country Estate and Manor are up in arms after more than 30 trees on common property were pruned last month — allegedly without the necessary permits.
George municipality reported the pruning to the department of forestry, fisheries & the environment (DFFE), which is now investigating.
Several residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said a gardening service had been hired to prune trees on the property.
The head gardener didn’t even know what species the trees were and had no idea that permits are needed to prune protected trees. They just pruned haphazardly. The branches were torn and broken, and the cuts damaged the main stems and bark
— Resident of Kraaibosch Country Estate and Manor
“The head gardener didn’t even know what species the trees were and had no idea that permits are needed to prune protected trees,” said one resident. “They just pruned haphazardly. The branches were torn and broken, and the cuts damaged the main stems and bark.”
The resident said estate management was alerted to the trees’ protected status and a municipal official was called in.
“Environmental law applies at all times. The estate has no environmental policy, management plan or environmental control officer to guide decision-making. More than seven residents actively raised objections.”
The resident said reckless pruning could threaten long-term canopy cover and ecological stability.
“The matter has now been referred to the DFFE and an investigation into illegal pruning is under way. Many of us feel this will help set a precedent to protect trees in residential developments.”
The municipality's parks & recreation manager, Nosidima Vumindaba, said the municipality was “aware of the recent yellowwood tree pruning incident and reported it to the DFFE, as required. Pruning of protected trees like yellowwoods is only permitted if the correct documentation has been issued by the DFFE”.
Vumindaba said the municipality occasionally received complaints about the illegal cutting of endangered trees.
“Yellowwood trees are common in the George area. While we do not manage trees on private property or issue permits, we do report any potential contraventions to the relevant authorities. Residents are not permitted to prune trees on municipal land without approval, and even municipal staff must obtain DFFE permits before pruning protected species,” she said.
Kraaibosch responded to questions via a statement, saying some of the allegations had been misrepresented.
“We believe several statements in the letter addressed to the office of the Kraaibosch manager have been distorted in a way that may portray the homeowners’ association as irresponsible and indifferent to environmental concerns,” the statement read.
The estate said it is co-operating with the authorities: “We remain committed to ongoing engagement with the department of environmental affairs & development planning as well as the DFFE.”
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