Have you noticed a big increase lately in the number of trees being cut down on the road verges and in public spaces? It’s been happening along Crowhill Road, Enterprise Road, Ridgeway Road, Greendale Ave and Drew Road – to mention just a few. With the season for thunderstorms approaching, no doubt many more of the older trees will be cut, or will be knocked down by strong winds and heavy rains. Most of the trees that are being cut down – or that will fall down soon – are Cyprus or gum trees, usually around 80 years old or more, and no longer in their prime. These species are not particularly environmentally friendly. They tend to use up more water than indigenous trees, not much grows underneath them and they don’t support the local insect, bird and small mammal life in the same way that indigenous trees do.
But does that mean that home owners can just cut down the trees on the verges outside their houses at will? No, it definitely doesn’t. The verges and public spaces – and the trees growing on them – are the property of the City of Harare and by extension the property of all the rate payers.
If you want to cut the trees on the verge outside your house you need to get permission first. You need to write a letter to your District Officer or to Mr Mazurura at the Parks Department explaining why you would like to cut down the trees – they’re too old, in danger of falling on your wall or house, or they’re diseased or damaged. You can find Mr Mazurura at the Parks Office in the Harare Gardens. You need to collect Mr Mazurura from his office and take him to have a look at the trees you want to cut down and get his go-ahead before you can proceed.
From this point on things are no longer so clear and everything seems to be “it depends on what the agreement is.” We were not able to get clear answers from the District Office, the City of Harare, Parks Department, the Environmental Management Agency and even the Forestry Commission. Each institution referred us to the next. In desperation we contacted Environment Africa who said they were not sure about the relevant by-laws but would be looking in to the matter further. We managed to establish that if you cut down trees without written permission you are liable to a fine, although we were unable to establish what the amount is – “it depends” was all we could ascertain from Parks Department.
It would seem that there are two options – either you can get the Parks Department to remove the trees or you can hire your own tree fellers. If you want the Parks Department to do it, it’s generally not quick, as they are facing the usual logistical challenges of being understaffed and their lack of transport. It seems they normally sub-contract the work to their preferred tree cutting company, who then cart away the timber to be sold as firewood. This SHOULD be sold through the Parks Department at a cost of $15 per cord.
Whether the home owner needs to pay for this service is unclear, it “depends on the agreement”. If however you decide to hire your own company to cut down the trees the timber then belongs to you.
As the cleanliness and the maintenance of public spaces and public amenities continues to deteriorate alarmingly quickly, will the money generated from tree cutting and timber sales be used to help regenerate and restore our city? It would appear that this is not the case. Harare News has been unable to identify anywhere in the Northern suburbs, which appears to be the most badly affected area, where the Council is engaged in tree planting or maintenance. Often when the trees are cut down the stumps are left behind which is not only unsightly it also means nothing else can be planted there.
If you decide that the trees outside your property are becoming a problem consider pruning them rather than cutting them out completely. If you do decide, as a last resort, to cut them down completely, then remove the stumps and plant indigenous trees as replacements. Fast growing indigenous trees can be bought from most good garden nurseries, or contact Pure Earth Trees (info@pureearthtrees.com) who have a great variety of local trees available from small seedlings to large established trees in 50kg bags.
We’ll be investigating this further. Tell us what you think: editor@hararenews.co.zw
Loading ...
Hurrah! At last I got a blog from where I be able to in fact get valuable data regarding my study and knowledge.
Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
I got this web page from my pal who informed me concerning this site and at the moment this time I am browsing this website and reading very informative articles or reviews here.
This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
excellent points altogether, you simply won a new reader. What might you suggest in regards to your post that you just made a few days ago? Any positive?
It’s difficult to find educated people in this particular topic, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really something which I believe I’d never understand. It seems too complex and extremely vast for me. I’m having a look ahead for your next submit, I’ll attempt to get the cling of it!
I got this site from my buddy who told me regarding this website and at the moment this time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative posts at this time.
Hello, constantly i used to check blog posts here in the early hours in the daylight, since i love to find out more and more.
great post, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
Wow! In the end I got a weblog from where I know how to truly take valuable information concerning my study and knowledge.
If you are going for finest contents like myself, only visit this site daily since it gives quality contents, thanks
First off I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out there. I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Thanks!
Bosentan generalmente se toma 2 veces por día.
No es necesario ajustar la dosis de Bosentan.
Buy Bacteriostatic Water 30mlat Top Peptides.
Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website loads up very fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host? I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
I read this post fully regarding the difference of most recent and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
Thanks for any other excellent article. The place else could anybody get that kind of information in such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
Thanks in favor of sharing such a nice idea, piece of writing is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
Hello, this weekend is nice in favor of me, because this time i am reading this great educational piece of writing here at my house.
What’s up to every single one, it’s truly a pleasant for me to go to see this website, it contains useful Information.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own site now 😉
Hi there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!
También ha habido informes de insuficiencia hepática.
Hello friends, how is everything, and what you desire to say regarding this paragraph, in my view its genuinely awesome designed for me.
For newest information you have to visit world-wide-web and on the web I found this web site as a most excellent website for most up-to-date updates.
What’s up Dear, are you genuinely visiting this website on a regular basis, if so then you will without doubt obtain good knowledge.
Right here is the perfect website for everyone who really wants to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic which has been written about for many years. Great stuff, just great!
Hi there, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s really fine, keep up writing.
Estatinas. Siga con cuidado estas instrucciones.
Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming yet again to read other news.
I’m no longer sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time studying more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I was in search of this info for my mission.
I am really glad to read this blog posts which contains tons of helpful facts, thanks for providing these kinds of data.
No es necesario ajustar la dosis de bosentan.
Fantastic blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!
Otros efectos secundarios también se han reportado.
Asimismo, reduce el depósito de colágeno pulmonar.
It’s fantastic that you are getting ideas from this article as well as from our dialogue made at this place.
This article provides clear idea in favor of the new viewers of blogging, that genuinely how to do blogging.
Bosentan se toma usualmente 2 veces al día.
No se ha observado evidencia de efecto rebote.
No es necesario ajustar la dosis de bosentan.
Hi there to every one, it’s in fact a pleasant for me to pay a visit this web site, it includes important Information.
Hurrah! After all I got a website from where I can in fact take valuable information concerning my study and knowledge.