Permission to use material

Publishers may use material from this website. Please see our conditions of use.

Latest news

• Tackling the invasive beetle in Joburg on the eve of International Day of Forests

  

  19 March 2018

  For Immediate Release

  Yesterday, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) commenced the removal of forty-two dead Acer negendo, commonly referred to as Boxelder maple trees, in Craighall Park in Johannesburg.

  This operation, scheduled on the eve of International Day of Forests which is commemorated globally on 21 March, under the 2019 theme, “forests and education”, is aimed at removing dead trees that have succumbed to Fusarium dieback (obstruction of the tree’s vascular system), after being infested by the Polyphagus Shot Hole Borer (PSHB).

  The PSHB is an aggressive ambrosia beetle, native to Southeast Asia, first detected in South Africa in 2017 and in Johannesburg in 2018. While the borer beetle itself does not kill the tree, it introduces a fungus that consequently blocks the vascular system, which may lead to a tree’s rapid or gradual dieback.

  In recent weeks, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has come under the spotlight for not responding speedily to residents and tree-maintenance providers, to eradicate all PSHB infested hosts and reproductive trees. The full list of affected species is available on www.jhbcityparks.com.

  JCPZ through its day-to-day monitoring of the impact of the beetle found that the results of the infestation vary-- even in trees of the same species, within close proximity and in similar micro-climatic conditions. Some trees such as the London planes although heavily infested, were however not exhibiting rapid stages of decline. These findings can be related to the complexity of the issues posed by the PSHB.

  “The impact of removing the city’s treescape in the absence of scientists from FABI finalizing their study, is irresponsible and premature”, stated the Managing Director of Johannesburg City Parks, Mr Bryne Maduka. Adding, that, “JCPZ has met with counterparts from affected municipalities to design a management plan to intensify public awareness; establish a customer interface for residents to report infested trees and strengthen monitoring and operations to control the PSHB”.

  In the interim Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, has identified sites suitable for solarizing infested wood that is removed from public spaces. Affected trees will be chipped and safely transported to the nearest street trees depot, where the chipped material will be covered in a sturdy plastic to allow for the solarization process that destroys the beetle. The process will be closely monitored over a six-month period, before the wood chippings are re-used as mulch or compost.

  Residents are urged to monitor their private trees as well as their street trees, for symptoms of the beetle and to report sightings to 011 375-5555. Symptoms to look out for are ‘shot’ holes on trees, wet-spots, frass and or oozing ‘noodle-like’ resin. Areas with reports of high infestations include Craighall, Hurlingham and Dunkeld.

  There is currently no approved chemical application in South Africa, to eradicate the PSHB. JCPZ would like to caution residents against the use of any chemical which has the potential to cause more harm to the environment than good. Concerns posed by the use of unapproved chemical applications are centered around the contamination of ground water, loss of animal habitat and the death of pollinating insects such as bees.

  JCPZ is calling on residents to only remove dead branches and dead trees on their private properties. Keep your tree properly fertilised and watered, as a healthy tree is more resistant to disease and infestations.

  For more information please email trees@jhbcityparks.com or whatsapp 0828030 748.

  Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba
  Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development
  City of Joburg

  MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
  Jenny Moodley
  Spokesperson: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
  Telephone: 011 712-6615
  Email: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
  Whatsapp on 082 8030 748
  Mobile: 082 8030 748/ 082 906 1515
  Website: www.jhbcityparks.com

   

   

• Polyphagous shot hole borer species

  

  Residents are urged to monitor their private trees as well as their street trees for symptoms of the beetle and to report sightings to 011 375-5555. Areas with reports of high infestations, include Craighall, Hurlingham and Dunkeld.

  There is currently no approved chemical application to eradicate the PSHB and JCPZ would like to caution residents against the use of unauthorised service providers and chemical applications which have the potential to contaminate ground water, lead to the loss of animal habitats and result in the death of pollinating insects such as bees.

  JCPZ is calling on residents to only remove dead branches and only dead trees on their private properties. The London Planes which are most affected seem to be withstanding the effects of the beetle at this stage and there have been reports of any die-back, hence the decision by JCPZ not to remove infested London Planes. Keep your tree well fertilised and watered as a healthy tree is more like to withstand the effects of the PSHB.

  Polyphagous shot hole borer - Species table DEA

  For more information please email trees@jhbcityparks.com or whatsapp 082 8030 748. 

   

• All you need to know about the city's fault logging mechanism

  
   

• Trees for the Year 2019

  

  The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) as the custodian of forestry in South Africa, highlight two specific trees (one common and one rare species) every year during Arbor Week to help increase public awareness of the 2000 indigenous tree species in South Africa.

  	Common Tree	Rare Tree
  Scientific Name	Sclerocarya birrea	Philenoptera violacea
  Picture	Leaves, fruits and stem of of Sclerocarya birrea.	Leaves of Philenoptera violacea
  Common name(s)	marula (Eng.); morula (Northern Sotho); mufula (Tshivenda); ukanyi (Tsonga); Mufuna, Mupfura, Mushomo (Shona); Umganu (Ndebele)b	apple-leaf (Eng.); appelblaar (Afr.); umBhandu, umPhanda, isiHomohomo (isiZulu)
  Family	Anacardiaceae	Fabaceae
  Origin	Southern Africa, Madagascar and Ethopia	Madagascar and southern Africa
  Description	The marula is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree with an erect trunk and rounded crown. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. It is one of the plants that played a role in feeding people in ancient times.	Philenoptera violacea is a hardy, small to medium sized, upright, semi-deciduous tree up to 15 m tall with a wide-spreading, dense and rounded crown that has beautiful pale lavender-grey bark.
  Leaves	Leaves alternate, crowded near the ends of branches, imparipinnate with 7-15 pairs of ovate to elliptic leaflets and a terminal leaflet, dark green above, paler bluish-green below.	Leaves are large (70-200 mm long), unevenly compound with 1-3 pairs of opposite leaflets and one terminal leaflet, hard and rough in texture, shiny or glossy above and grey-green beneath, with prominent midribs. The terminal leaflets are always much bigger than the lower leaflets (about 180 mm long and 90 mm broad).
  Fruit	Fruits fleshy, plum-like, pale green turning yellow when ripe. The fruit is edible and highly valued by animals and people.	Fruit is a flat pod, non-splitting, relatively large (about 120 x 25 mm), hairless, tapering at both ends, persisting on the tree during winter, usually 2- or 3-seeded
  Fruiting time	September to November	September to December
  Uses	The powdered bark is used to treat pregnant women to determine the gender of an unborn baby. If a pregnant woman wishes to have a girl, she will take a preparation from the female plant and for a boy she will use the male plant. A decoction of the bark treats dysentery, diarrhoea, rheumatism and has a prophylactic effect against malaria. The bark is an excellent remedy for haemorrhoids. Roots and bark are also used as laxatives. A drink made from marula leaves is used for the treatment of gonorrhea. In the former homeland of Venda it was a criminal offence to cut down a living tree of this species. The wood is used for furniture, panelling, flooring, carvings and household utensils like spoons. The inner layer of bark makes a strong rope. Drums and yokes for certain animals are made from the wood of this tree. In Namibia some people use the wood for sledges. Boats are also made from the trunk. Red-brown dye can be produced from the fresh skin of the bark. The gum, which is rich in tannin, is mixed with soot and used as ink.	Most parts of the plant are used to treat diarrhoea. The roots are used for gastro-intestinal problems; powdered root-bark is used to treat colds and snakebite. Root infusions are commonly used as part of a hookworm remedy.
  Propagation	This tree grows easily from seed sown in washed river sand in spring.	Propagation is by seed. The seeds must first be soaked in hot water, left overnight and planted the next morning in seedling trays.

  References
  Boon, R. 2010. Trees of eastern South Africa: A complete guide. The Flora Publication Trust Coates Palgrave, K. 1983. Trees of southern Africa, edn 2. Struik, Cape Town.
  Pooley, E. 2005. The complete field guide to trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publication Trust van Wyk, B-E., van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 1997.
  Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria. van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 2009.
  Field guide to trees of Southern Africa. Struik Nature Publishers Venter, F. & Venter, J-A. 1996. Making the most of indigenous trees. Briza Publications
  https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=136510 www.daff.gov.za

   

• Saving our wetlands should be a joint responsibility

  

   

  A City of Johannesburg Media Advisory

  07 February 2019

  Release: Immediate

  This week, the City of Joburg is throwing its weight behind the Flufftail Festival, taking place on February 8 and 9, with plans to take hundreds of scholars to the Johannesburg Zoo to learn more about conservation.

  The White-winged Flufftail bird is one of the rarest and most threatened wetland birds on the continent, with a fast dwindling population that is facing a significant risk of extinction.

  The trip comes after World Wetlands Day, which is an important global environmental day that is celebrated on February 2 annually, and is heralded as an educational awareness vehicle in the conservation and restoration efforts of wetlands.

  With temperatures soaring unbearably over the years, wetlands are being sucked dry, resulting in the unnatural evaporation of moisture and diminishing water levels which adversely affects birdlife, plants and the overall biodiversity found in wetlands. This has direct implications on the health, economy and social wellbeing of communities and residents.

  Conservation of wetlands through intensified, interactive educational exhibitions programmes to mark World Wetlands Day is therefore critical in demonstrating the need to protect these vital ecosystems.

  Therefore, the Flufftail festival is aimed at nurturing responsible green conscious children by educating them in using water sparingly. Grade 6 pupils from across Johannesburg will be hosted by the City as part of the programme.

  Learners will be exploring and gaining much-needed information about the importance of wetlands, including hands-on water testing activities, interactive games and quizzes.

  There are many ways in which residents, too, can play their part – like collecting rain water for gardens and avoiding contaminating or polluting grey water with chemicals, oil or litter.

  Johannesburg boasts a number of wetlands around the City, attracting tourists and natural activities associated with wetlands. These marshy and lush wetlands not only bring a sense of calm to the hustle and bustle of Joburg, but add beauty and play a vital role in filtrating and sustaining, habitats and the environment to increase the rich diversity of the ecology within the City.

  Wetlands play a significant role in urban areas as they reduce flooding by absorbing excessive water during stormy rainfall. They reduce the severity of droughts by regulating stream flows and provides shelter for many aquatic animals and birds.

  The abundant vegetation found in wetlands, acts as a filter for domestic and industrial waste and this contributes to improving water quality.

  “As we continue with efforts to combat the negative effects of climate change, we are mindful that it will only take a collective effort to preserve these precious water bodies. Residents are urged to refrain from dumping illegally, limit the use of plastic, repair equipment instead of disposing items and become part of the A Re Sebetseng campaign to keep our water bodies pollution-free,” stated the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development in the City of Joburg, Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba.

  For media queries, please contact:

  Noeleen Mattera
  Stakeholder & PR / Media Relations - Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo
  Call: 011 712 6600

   

• The Wilds declared a Heritage Site

  

  The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation has awarded one of JCPZ’s most beautiful facilities, The Wilds, with a Blue Plaque.

   

  This 16-hectare nature reserve park situated in Houghton, boasts outstanding natural beauty and historic interest. Those in the know love walking the cobble stone paths that roam across the hillsides to marvel at the stunning views of our City, a sundial at the peak of the Wilds and the beautiful vegetation nestled on endless green lawns.

   

  Joburg residents and visitors that regularly spend time at The Wilds enjoy this hidden gem for brisk walking, climbing, pondering on the colourful benches, taking photos of flowers and views and escaping from the hectic urban life.

  The latest acquisitions in the park include artwork of wild animals which join the owl artwork previously introduced.

  The heritage plaque was unveiled today which will go a long way in giving The Wilds the status it deserves. The wording on the plaque tells the full story:

  The Wilds was established in 1924 on a donation of land by the Houghton Estate Township Co. to the City. It was landscaped with indigenous flora first displayed at the 1935 Empire Exhibition, and attractive water features were added in the 1850s. The City dedicated the park to the memory of Jan Smuts after his death in 1950. The elegant pedestrian bridge was built in 1965, and the impressive greenhouses were a gift from JCI in 1966. The Wilds was declared a National Monument in 1981.

  The plaque unveiling ceremony was led by Ward Councillor Kabelo Mpesi, the Chairperson of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Mr Brett McDougall, Mr James Delaney from the Friends of The Wilds and JCPZ MD Bryne Maduka.

   

Help us Go Green!

Get involved and help City Parks turn the City of Gold green.