Newlands Forest is a much-loved sanctuary for many Capetonians – a place for relaxation, a place to unwind, and a scenic ‘home away from home.’
I often spend my weekends immersed in nature writes Cape {town} Etc’s Micayla Vellai. There’s just something about the insects hissing and the trees gently rustling that calms my soul (especially after a long, draining week).
I must admit how my heart bled after witnessing a shocking sight on the Newlands Forest Conservation Group, a platform that’s co-founded by Willem Boshoff. Images of trees that have been ‘ring-barked’ in the most horrific way ate at my soul, and Boshoff shared these sentiments as well.
He recently headed out to Newlands ravine picnic site, and nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to witness – six large trees, completely ring-barked, one being an exceptionally beautiful Assegai.
Boshoff further explained that the last ten years have seen the area around this picnic site go from a “lush, verdant tree canopy to a veritable war zone.”
“The trees that have been stripped the last 5 years are starting to fall over with every storm, and another 5 years from now there won’t be any large Cape Beech or Assegai’s left in the area,” he added.
The Newlands Conservation website defines bark stripping as the “illegal harvesting of tree bark for private use by individuals.” This tree bark has been used in traditional medicines and rituals for centuries in many parts of Africa and the rest of the world. It’s also used in South Africa by various spiritualists and traditional healers in medicines.
The website further explains that the function of tree bark is to protect the internal energy transport systems of the tree, and these internal systems are responsible for the transport of nutrients and water between the leaves and roots. However, once the bark is removed, these systems dry out and the tree can no longer feed itself. Removal of even a vertical strip of bark will harm the tree. This is why bark stripping is so destructive.
Ring barking is also called girdling and describes what happens when the bark is removed from the entire circumference of the tree. This action can kill the tree.
Boshoff went on to say that he is “both heartbroken and so angry” by these destructive actions. He urges the public to report any suspicious activity as soon as possible. Visit https://newlandsforestconservation.com/contact for the details.
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Picture: Willem Boshoff
