Council to chop old trees

Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent

 The City of Harare is in the process of getting rid of old trees that are posing a danger to residents, especially cypress, jacaranda and gum trees, exotic trees often planted more than a century ago.

Cypress trees pose the biggest danger during storms and rains and in recent months and weeks, these old trees have caused a lot of destruction. Many have already been taken out by the council and private owners, since they are now notorious, but there are still lines planted many years ago.

In a statement, the local authority said old trees have proved to be a threat to human life, especially in areas where they are more concentrated.

Cypress and gum trees are more concentrated in the affluent suburbs among them Avondale, Emerald Hill, Milton Park, Newlands, Highlands, Chisipite and Borrowdale.

“Social media has been awash with reports that council is indiscriminately cutting down trees around the city. The fact is that our experts move around the city first to identify trees that pose the biggest danger and recommend their removal.

“Once the trees are removed, replacements will be done and in this regard, a number of stakeholders have indicated their willingness to work with the city. There have been reports of cutting trees at Africa Unity Square and this is not true as no trees are being cut at Africa Unity Square,” reads part of the statement.

The council did take out the diagonal line of cypress trees running across the square about three years ago, but the replacement indigenous trees have already reached the height where they have started flowering, producing yellow blossoms in season and are already giving modest patches of shade.

“At the moment, we have identified a number of sites that need urgent attention and action. These are in Hillside along Helm Road, Harare Gardens’ kids play centre and Sam Levy Village along Borrowdale Road.

“We also have areas near Herbet Chitepo Avenue and Leopold Takawira Street which have old and dangerous trees which are being cut and also trees near Harare Polytechnic along Herbet Chitepo Avenue. Residents are also urged to notify council of any trees that might be posing a danger to them and their properties,” reads the statement.

Council said it should also be noted that during storms and rains, old trees fall on power lines resulting in unnecessary outages.