Cutting down a tree outside your property without following the correct process could land you a fine of up to R60 000.
This is according to Jenny Moodley, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson told Randburg Sun while the publication was following up on such an incident in Randpark.
New residents in the area cut down white stinkwood tree on the pavement outside their boundary wall next to the road.
Moodley said rangers responded to the incident immediately.
“A culprit was identified, and a penalty process has commenced,” Moodley said, explaining that the fine that was issued was dependent on the tree species, size, age, location and whether it had heritage value.
“Last month we issued fines worth a total of R246 000 for a number od incidents. There was no minimum or maximum fine but usually, we see between R10 000 and R60 000 charged.”
Robins Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Irvan Sammons said this was just one of few recent incidents of people caught cutting down trees on pavements.
“Some people do not know that trees growing on pavements belong to the City of Joburg and permission is needed to cut them,” he said.
“Joburg has an ageing tree canopy that has been threatened by the shot hole borer beetle. We are doing our best to protect our trees and we do not let these people get away with it.”
Even pruning trees can without permission can land you in hot water.
City Sightseeing SA also recently used a Johannesburg sightseeing bus as a dump truck for the offcuts while pruning branches of trees in Sandton without permission.
If anyone became aware of residents cutting down trees without permission from City Parks, they should report this to their local police station or contact Joburg Connect on 086 056 2874.
Source: The Citizen, Randburg Sun, image from Twitter: @SA_Mum