City sends teams to inspect trees for destructive beetle

THE City has appointed teams to inspect trees in the Somerset West area for possible infestations of the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle.

The City has removed and incinerated 156 trees infested by the PSHB since April last year, when the pest was detected on trees in the northern parts of Somerset West.

Sightings of the beetle were first reported to the City’s Invasive Species Unit (ISU) in that month.

Since then, an experienced invasive species removal team from the City has visited 361 sites across Cape Town to inspect trees that were suspected of being infested by the Asian borer beetle. They found 160 trees in Somerset West had been infested, of which 156 were chipped on site, carefully removed under cover of heavy duty plastic, and incinerated at appropriate sites. The City is busy removing the remaining four infested trees.

“About 130 of the infested trees were removed from privately owned residential properties, and the rest from City-owned land – mainly road reserves and parks. At this stage, it seems the pest is confined to this area only,” said mayco member for spatial planning and environment Marian Nieuwoudt.

The ISU has recently appointed a team of temporary workers through the Expanded Public Works Programme to assist with inspecting trees in and around the Somerset West area to record the extent and spread of the pest.

“I’m asking residents to please allow these workers access to their properties so they can inspect the trees for any possible infestation.

The workers will be wearing dark green shirts, and must have an identification card with their name, photo, staff number, and City logo. We encourage the public to be on the lookout for possible infestations on their properties. This beetle is extremely harmful,” said Nieuwoudt.