Trees replanted amid beetle infestation

SIX trees at a Newlands public square have been removed due to a polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) infestation, as the invasive beetle continues to threaten Cape Town's urban forest and agricultural crops, potentially causing R275 billion in economic damage over the next decade if uncontrolled.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

It is for this reason that Claremont ward councillor, Mikhail Manuel, joined forces with Deputy Mayor and mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, along with other departments and agencies, to carry out a tree planting ceremony yesterday in Newlands, where five water oak trees (quercus nigra) were planted in the Kildare Circle parking area, which are non-reproductive hosts for the PSHB.

Originating in south-east Asia and identified in South Africa in 2017, the PSHB has spread to eight provinces and infests over 100 local tree species.

Identifying infestations is difficult due to the beetle's 2mm size.

The City of Cape Town reported a PSHB-infested boxelder tree in Newlands in January 2023, advising neighbors to inspect their trees.