Bluegums, black wattle, syringa, Port Jackson and some pines were planted widely in South Africa, and many now spread into veld, streams and gardens. Alien tree removal takes out these invaders and, just as important, follows up on the seedlings and resprouts that come back. Landowners may have a duty to control listed invaders, so it pays to plan it properly. Describe the trees and the land, and local teams can quote. Send one free, no-obligation request.
NEMBA and your duty as a landowner
Many alien trees are listed under the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations made under NEMBA, the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. Examples often mentioned include black wattle, Port Jackson, some eucalyptus (bluegum), syringa, pines in some areas and jacaranda in some categories. Landowners may have a duty to control listed invaders on their land, and some properties need to disclose them when sold. The categories and exemptions differ by species and place, so check the listing for your tree and area before you plan the work.
Why invasive trees cause problems
Invasive trees spread fast and crowd out indigenous plants. Dense stands along rivers and streams use a lot of water, and many farmers notice streams and boreholes recover after clearing. Wattle and pine thickets also carry hotter fires than open veld. In gardens, big old gums drop heavy limbs and their roots lift paving. Syringa berries are poisonous to some animals.
Felling, stump treatment and follow-up
Cutting is only the first step. Many gums, wattles and syringas resprout from the stump and roots, and the soil holds seed for years. A sound plan covers:
- Felling or sectional removal, depending on what is nearby.
- Treating fresh stumps, or grinding them, to stop coppice regrowth.
- Pulling or treating seedlings after the first rains.
- Follow-up visits for at least a few seasons.
Ask how the team treats stumps and what products they use near water. For large areas, see land and bush clearing.
What happens to the wood
Gum and wattle are dense, heavy woods. Large trunks can be cut into rounds and split for firewood, used as poles, or sold to a buyer who collects. Branches are often chipped for mulch, but chips from seeding wattle or pines can carry seed, so ask where they will go. Some teams lower the price if they keep the wood; agree on this before work starts.
What to include in your request
- Species of tree, or photos of leaves and bark
- Number of trees or size of the area in hectares
- Anything nearby: house, stream, fence, road
- Whether stumps must be treated or ground
- What should happen to the wood and branches
Alien & Invasive Tree Removal for different clients
- Homeowners: removing syringas, young gums and wattle from a garden before they spread
- Estates, complexes and body corporates: clearing invaders from common areas, streams and green belts in estates
- Farms, smallholdings and plantations: clearing gums and wattle from streams, camps and fence lines to free up water
- Businesses and commercial property: removing invasive trees from lodge, factory and office grounds
- Schools, churches and municipalities: clearing invaders from parks, rivers, school grounds and road reserves
- Developers and building sites: clearing listed invaders from a stand before plans and building start
- Servitudes and fire breaks: keeping servitudes and fire breaks free of fast-growing invasive trees
- Tree fellers, landscapers and garden services: clearing teams and tree fellers taking on follow-up and stump treatment work
Frequently asked questions
How much does alien tree removal cost?
Must I remove the bluegums or syringas on my property?
Why do the cut wattles keep coming back?
Who will do the alien clearing work?
Alien & Invasive Tree Removal by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg