SANParks Gum Tree Felling Project

SANParks are running a tree felling project to source gum trees to manufacture school desks. This is a Government funded project and SANParks are the implementing agents.

The project has a number of benefits but one of the big positives is that they will be removing gums trees, which are listed as a Category 2 invasive alien species.

The project is being handled by a trained team that can fell trees in urban environments and who have third party liability insurance.

The project works on the following basis:

1. Each case is discussed and assessed on its own merits between the project team and the property owner.
2. Properties with a high number of trees will get priority, as this improves the harvesting efficiency.
3. The project team will prioritise the areas they will work in depending on the volume of timber available.
4. Extraction of the timber must be possible without incurring excessive expense.
5. The property owner must provide reasonable access – the project will fell and remove the timber at no cost to the property owner on the condition that the project can have the timber at zero value.
6. The project will only remove the timber trunks and will not remove leaves, branches etc. which remain the responsibility of the property owner.
7. Whilst the project team will do its best to minimise any collateral damage to any garden it must be accepted by the property owner that felling large trees will cause some damage in a garden. The project team is not responsible for “making good” any collateral garden damage. This excludes any damage which could be subject to an insurance claim.
8. The felled timber will be removed as soon as there is sufficient wood to fill a truck-load. It may be necessary to combine a few gardens to make a truck-load.
9. Note: Not every garden will be suitable for this project as in some cases the local conditions may make the felling task too dangerous or the cost of removal may be excessive.

You are reminded that gum trees on your property without a permit are prohibited in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA) and we would encourage you to take this opportunity to have them felled and removed.

Please note that this project is only focused on gum trees and other IAP species will not be considered at this point in time.

If you have gum trees on your property and are willing to have the tree(s) cut down then please contact:

Bonny Bridgeford
Health & Safety Co-ordinator BSP
Acting Mill Manager – Durban Furniture Factory
SANParks Biodiversity Social Projects
Cell: 083 381 8560
Fax: 086 652 5672