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Emotions are running high over the continuous removal of trees in various areas inside and nearby Majik Forest.
“I can’t find anyone who is not outraged by this,” an angry reader said in a call to TygerBurger on Monday.
The argument all started when the City of Cape Town ringbarked beloved poplar trees in the forest in 2022. Since then, the City has chopped down trees in Loevenstein and also removed pine trees near a substation, all angering numerous residents. On the one side of the argument you have residents who feel all the trees should be left as they are at the moment, keeping the aesthetic of the area.
On the other side you have the City of Cape Town and conservation groups that maintain the removal of trees isn’t just better for theenvironment, but that authorities are legally mandated to remove invasive species especially in a river corridor.
Over 60 residents showed up to talk about the matter at a meeting over the issue held in Protea Valley Family Church last Wednesday. The meeting was held by the Van Riebeeckshof Valley NPC and saw two staff members of the City of Cape Town’s parks department explain the reasoning behind the removal.
Ringbarking
The main reason for the removal of invasive poplars is to ensure the conservation and protection of local and smother indigenous vegetation, that can’t grow if invasive plant species use all the water. This includes the critically endangered swartland shale renosterveld.
Sihle Jonas, the ecological coordinator responsible for, among other places, Majik Forest, said poplar trees have extensive root systems. “It’s very difficult for anything to grow under it.”
She explained that the City has different areas, managed by different departments.
Not all City departments have ecological coordinators that provide insight as Jonas does. She works for the parks department, whereas a different department chopped down the trees in the Tafelsig Canyon in Loevenstein. That’s why they were chopped down and those bigger trees in Majik Forest ringbarked.
The trees in Loevenstein were primarily removed as a result of erosion removed as a result of erosion.
In Majik Forest, the ringbarking of trees is a much more long-term project. Some of the ringbarked poplar trees have died since first being ringbarked in 2022. In patches other trees that were suppressed by the poplars, have started growing, like wild olive trees (olienhout) and wild peach trees. “A lot of vegetation is already coming back.”
She said they are monitoring how much vegetation returns and if needed, supplement the area with more indigenous trees.
The process will take years to complete, she told residents.
Another reason why they’re removing poplar trees is because they are required to do so by the national government, officials at the meeting explained to the audience.
White poplar trees (populus alba) are category 2 species under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Nemba). In riparian and wetland areas, they are classified as category 1b. Cluster pines (pinus pinaster) and Port Jacksons (acacia saligna), both classified as category 1b, are also being removed from Majik Forest.
Wetlands, owls
Another point that provided for heated discussion, was the planned removal of the trees at the Tygerberg Wetlands (Vleiland) across the road from Majik Forest.
Anel Botha, the member of the a member of the Tygerberg Wetlands Association, said it’s important to remember that no insects and no life are growing around the poplars. They create dongas, that could lead to a situation similar to that at the Tafelsig Canyon, where erosion is rife and nothing can grow there. “There are about 100 (indigenous) trees recovering since the ringbarking of poplars started in Majik Forest,” she explained.
Wetlands are important as they provide free ecosystem services to the neighbourhood, working like a sponge, taking up water during winter, slowing water down, preventing floods and soil erosion. During hot summer months wetlands release water slowly.
Willem Myburgh from the Recreation and Parks Department advised that only the pine trees which were sick, posing a risk to the substation were removed, the remaining pine trees which are still healthy were trimmed.
Ronel Viljoen, local ward councillor, explained the City’s fire department also removes trees or branches when there’s a fire risk. Firebreaks are also maintained to mitigate risk in the event of a fire.
Removing alien trees won’t mean owls will disappear, however, as owls are known to eat renosterveld and make their nests on the ground.
Many at the meeting criticised the City for not communicating with them about the removal of the trees, as well as what they say is a lack of a long-term plan.
Jonas and Myburgh assured them there is a long-term plan.
