These English oaks have been synonymous with Knysna for many years and the sad sight of felled trees has left many residents cringing in despair. Some of the trees are believed to be more than a hundred years old. Approximately 35 trees, both large and small, have been earmarked to be felled in the whole CBD as well as in a few other areas.
According to Clive Nuns, manager of parks and recreation at the Knysna Municipality, they noticed toward the end of 2013 that the oaks' leaves turned brown in midsummer indicating that the trees may be diseased.
"Discussions were held with various persons with knowledge of trees. We are 100% sure they cannot be revived. Unlike the effects of a drought or leaf mould where something can be done to help the ailing tree, these beetles bore into the cambium and attack the xylem and phloem capillaries- the working mechanics of the tree. Visible symptoms include strings of boring dust from the numerous small holes in the bark," said Nuns.
The work to remove the trees is expected to take about three weeks and residents should expect traffic delays and detours where felling occurs.
Knysna municipal manager Lauren Waring said that she was aware of the fact that ". . . our decision to remove these trees will be questioned by some residents, but we wish to assure you that Council debated the issue and came to the conclusion that there was no other alternative but to remove them."
Nuns indicated that the municipality had received call-outs when branches fell on a roof in Church Street as well as Queen Street, as well as some near-misses which could have potentially damaged cars and property.
The Knysna Municipality reports that the last twenty years have seen a deterioration of the trees due to age and/or growing conditions.
"Most of the oak trees have recently been infected by an ambrosia beetle or a stem borer and a pathogen which cause the trees to die within a short time frame. Normally not all diseased trees have to be removed completely. There are times when an ailing tree can be saved with the right treatment. Unfortunately, there is no known cure against this infection when the trees are mature. With winter approaching any tree that is diseased and dying will shed more branches and can more easily come down in a storm, being a potential danger to persons and property."
Looking ahead, the Council said it will initiate a planting plan for replacement trees. These replacement trees will be of species which are more suitable as street trees for Knysna and also for future generations to enjoy. This approach enabled Council to exercise its duty to take reasonable care of the environment and to ensure that Knysna is a place where people and nature prosper.
The felled trees are being cut into blocks and will be dumped and sprayed with a pyrethroid based pesticide. The remaining trunks will also be sprayed.
"All indications are that it is a species of Ambrosia beetle and fungus of which there are over 400 species. We cannot say if all trees will be infected but we hope that the infestation will exhaust itself," concluded Nuns.
Waring said that the municipality intends to replant trees on a grand scale and end up with an improved "local micro-climate".
"It is our intention to replace and add to what was there. The type of tree planted is decided by the locality of planting viz height, canopy size, deciduous versus evergreen etc. We will have to remove stumps and formulate a planting plan."
She said regular planting of trees takes place every year in the Greater Knysna Area and not only in the CBD.
The tender to remove the trees was put out on March 18 this year and given to Singenza Tree Fellers CC of The Crags.
PHOTO GALLERY
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Contractors appointed by the Knysna Municipality recently began removing some of Knysna's beloved English oak trees in and around the Central Business District (CBD).
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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