Residents have been cautioned against the removal of trees to avoid possible injuries. They are also being encouraged to immediately report all tree incidents on City land, to ensure that the correct action is taken.
To deal with such incidents an emergency tree team, which is equipped with the necessary tools and experience, has been established this winter season.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community service and health, issued this caution following a series of incidents in which trees were uprooted in Ward 1 recently due to strong or gale-force winds.
TygerBurger reported last week that two trees had been uprooted in the area.
However, the City of Cape Town confirmed that a total of four trees had fallen.
This comes as a result of inclement weather, the City says.
The City’s recreation and parks department confirmed that during June four trees were uprooted in Ward 1; these occurred in Wendy Way, in Northgate, Panorama, President Swart Street, Panorama and Visagie Street, and Wagenaar Street Monte Vista.
The recreation and parks department is responsible for the removal of trees on municipal roads and public open spaces, said Van der Ross.
Bad weather continued throughout the whole of last week.
As part of the City’s broader winter risk reduction mitigation measures, the recreation and parks department has specialist teams on standby to respond to any tree-related emergencies caused, or aggravated, by adverse weather conditions, the City said in a statement issued earlier this month.
Teams on standby, if trees fall
“From fallen branches to dangerous trees, the emergency tree teams are equipped with the necessary tools and experience to ensure the safety of both people and property.
“The after-hours teams are composed of horticultural staff whose ‘day jobs’ include routine maintenance of parks, verges and greenbelts in depots throughout the City, as well as the use of heavy machinery for tree removal.
“They focus on trees that have fallen, or caused damage or obstruction to public buildings or property. Where trees on private property fall over and block a public road or facility, tree emergency teams only take the required measures to make the path safe and accessible. The expense of cleaning the tree debris will then be on the ratepayer’s account,” the statement reads.
- Incidents involving uprooted trees can be reported to the City’s public emergency communication centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or 107 from a landline.
