When is it ok to cut down a tree?
“The best time to plant a tree was yesterday.
The second-best time is right now.”
We all know about the magic and majesty of trees.
Even kids can tell you they provide us with fresh oxygen, food, shade and serenity. We need to protect trees, cherish them and ensure that they stand tall to serve future generation.
At Homemakers we are big on tree-hugging, and we have told you many times how to plant, care and integrate them into your lives.
Now for the question: is it ever ok to cut down a tree?
It pains us to say this, but yes. Under certain circumstances, it is perfectly ok to cut down or severely trim back a tree.
When can I cut down a tree?
Safety
If there is a tree that is posing a danger to you or your property. Feel free to do what is necessary to keep you safe. Large, older trees that overhang homes or carports can cause a lot of damage should they fall over. It is best to clear these trees, to ensure that you don’t wake up to a tree crashing through your bedroom ceiling during a rainstorm. The same goes for tree roots buckling pavement and cracking walls. Your safety and the structural integrity of your property matters.
Aesthetics
You are, after all, the master of your own back yard. If there is a tree that is an eyesore to you, interferes with your gardening vision, or obscures a view that you love. We wont judge you for considering getting rid of it. We do however suggest that you take your time to decide about this. See if a good trim won’t do the job and then get a professional to help you cut the tree down safely,
Overcrowding
If you have a backyard that is so overgrown with trees that your whole garden is like a shade garden, it is ok to thin out your forest. We suggest that you identify exotic trees and get rid of them first, keeping any indigenous trees. They will be more suited to our climate and provide appropriate habitats and refuges for local bird and bug life, promoting your garden’s biodiversity. Most plants require sun to grow properly and it doesn’t benefit you if you spend thousands of rands on your garden, just for the dense shade to kill off all your plants.
Are there any statutorily protected trees?
It is important that you identify the trees in your garden and take care not to get yourself in trouble with the forestry department. South Africa has an extensive list of protected trees, and the cutting down, disturbing or otherwise influencing the growth of these trees is prohibited by law.
“In terms of the National Forests Act of 1998 forest trees or protected tree species may not be cut, disturbed, damaged or destroyed and their products may not be possessed, collected, removed, transported, exported, donated, purchased or sold – except under licence granted by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (or a delegated authority).” Protected trees of South Africa
For a full list these trees, click here.
Sadly, most residential gardens have already been urbanised to such an extent that they will very rarely have any of these trees in them. As more and more “lifestyle” estates are being settled, and we encroach on nature, you might very well end up with a protected tree in your back yard. In this case we absolutely agree that this tree cannot and should not be cut down, whether you like it or not.
Make a plan to incorporate it into your garden and feel honoured that you get to co-exist with a living part of our country’s heritage.
