Grocott's Mail has received numerous calls and emails about the felling of a gigantic Natal fig tree on a private property on the corner of Bathurst and Lawrence streets.
Grocott's Mail has received numerous calls and emails about the felling of a gigantic Natal fig tree on a private property on the corner of Bathurst and Lawrence streets.
Marcell Mostert, the owner of the property, started felling the tree on Monday 7 October to make room for another house as he is subdividing the property. According to Mostert, he will not be able to get a certificate from the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) with the tree there.
Since then, Mostert says he has been inundated with complaints and comments about the tree.
"I know it's a contentious issue, but I have to cut down the tree," he told Grocott's Mail. "It's not because I don't like it or want to cut it down, but I have to."
"A lot of people are upset, but some are happy, because [the tree]has been encroaching on their properties," Mostert told Grocott's Mail.
He says that although the tree is indigenous to South Africa, it does not belong in this area and has been causing damage both to his home and other plants on the property, including a protected Milkwood tree.
"It's not indigenous to the area, and the roots damage buildings: everything is moving and shifting and cracking because of its massive root system."
Concerned resident Deborah Seddon has delivered a petition containing 14 resident signatures to Mostert.
According to Seddon, the fig tree is over 100 years old and houses various birds, playing a crucial part in the 'suburban ecosystem'. She says it was even part of a Botanical garden in the Sunnyside area many years ago.
"I gave the petition to [the owner]early on Thursday morning and I spoke to him at length about the value of the tree, its age and the environmental impact of removing it from the neighbourhood," said Seddon in a letter to Grocott's Mail. "There is very strong resistance to the felling of this huge and very old indigenous tree but [the owner]will not listen to his neighbours."
Mostert made it clear that the decision had not been taken lightly. Apart from providing work for a number of people in Grahamstown thanks to his building plans, he has also pledged to reimburse the environment by planting Yellowwoods, Sneezewoods, and another Milkwood.
"It's a very sad day for the environment, but from an ecological point of view this tree doesn't belong here," Mostert said. "I will not let anyone stand in my way when I can give work to people, and myself."
