Approve the identification and removal of large alien Eucalyptus and Pine Trees that are a fire hazard on Boyes Drive, Jacobs Ladder and Capri steps in St. James.

The residents of Jacobs Ladder and Capri steps in St. James urgently request the City of Cape Town's immediate attention to the fire hazard and danger posed by large Eucalyptus and Pine alien trees in our area (“the trees”). These trees have grown to significant size and now present a clear and present danger to property and life within our community as:

• they are highly combustible and act as fire spreaders and propagators
• They shed enormous amounts of leaves and dead branches that block drains, cause slippery when wet conditions on the steep steps, and their dead branches, leaves and cones add enormously to the fire load in the area, a fire propagator of note in a runaway fire;
• they are a threat to life, limb and property because of their propensity to shed branches;
• because of their extensive root system, they have caused and will continue to cause large scale damage to water and sewerage pipes and to buildings.
• these alien trees disrupt the local ecosystem, affecting indigenous plant and animal species. Below pines natural vegetation does not exist. Their removal will aid in the restoration of our local biodiversity.

Fire Hazard:
The mountain above our neighbourhood has over the last few years repeatedly experienced run-away fires. The fire break of Boyes Drive, the efforts of the fire brigade, a benevolent wind direction and pure luck has saved and prevented those fires from entering the built-up area below Boyes Drive and has prevented the residential devastation and loss of life we see happening on the news in Los Angeles presently.

The trees of most concern are those bordering Boyes Drive which will act as a pathway for a fire into the built-up area below Boyes Drive.

The removal of these trees is necessary to prevent the spread of a run-away fire that could devastate our homes and endanger lives.

We do not accept the argument put forward that because they are mature trees and beautify the area they should be retained – the risk they pose to property and life is too great and, in any event, replacing the alien trees with indigenous fire-resistant trees is the obvious answer to this concern.

Danger to persons and property: 

• Gum trees are known as ‘widow makers’ because of the risk they pose as their branches are prone to break off and fall without warning, but especially during storms or high winds They are exceptionally combustible because of the oil they contain and their fire prone leaves, bark and branches. Pines are similarly notorious for propagating fires and for shedding cones and leaves that add to the areas fire load.
  The roots of these trees cause considerable damage to the neighbourhood’s infrastructure, as demonstrated by the:
• broken, lifted and displaced steps, the visible cracks in the retaining walls and the broken water pipes at the top of Jacobs Ladder under the one gum tree; and;
• the repeated clogging and breaking of sewage and water pipes and associated flooding below the Norfolk Pine tree on Capri steps.

Our Request to the CCT:

• Conduct a thorough survey to identify all large alien trees in this area;
  - assess the danger and the damage these trees cause;
  - Implement a plan for the safe removal of these trees, prioritising those posing the highest risk;
  -- Ensure that replacement planting is done with indigenous, fire-resistant species to enhance the ecological balance and safety of our neighbourhood.

Community Support:

The residents of the steps, collectively support this petition and urge the municipality to take swift action. We are committed to working with the city to address this urgent issue and ensure the safety and well-being of our community. We undertake to contribute towards replacement trees and/or vegetation where alien trees are removed.