Volunteer rangers from four People for Wildlife branches arose from a short sleep and
left their warm beds at 2 am to set off on a six hour journey to the Kruger National Park armed with ropes, chain saws and a heap of tree felling equipment.
The mission was to tackle alien trees in the staff quarters of Skukuza camp. The group had only heard about these trees …what they had heard was that no one else was prepared to fell them. They were too large and, without the skill technical know-how, could cause serious damage to the houses and buildings in Skukuza.
Our SANParks contact whom had coordinated the work party was Clive. We arrived in Skukuza mid-morning and were shown to a camping spot in the bush, the guide reiterated that we were in an unprotected area and our camp was open to the lion, elephants, buffalo etc..We set up camp and prepared a sandwiches for the team. After lunch Clive asked some of the group to accompany him for a preview of the trees. He had given it some thought before going towards the two easiest trees first…this was going to be straightforward. Then he took us around the corner: there was “Big Mama” spreading her swollen arms over the steep roof of a house…there was silence as we stared at the giant Tipuana.
There was no chance of packing up and going home at this late stage. There were no long ladders available and the ropes were not adequate for the task ahead…the only consolation was that McGiver (Alec Anderson) was there and legend has it that, given a piece of bubble gum in the bush, he will build a 4 x 4.
That evening around the campfire there was the usual laughter and light-hearted banter amongst the members of People for Wildlife…except from those who had seen the trees to be felled. A small herd of elephant wandered into camp to get a drink of water from the dam, Kim was seated and reading and was unaware that a large male elephant was only a few meters away, she moved to stand up and the elephant sprayed her with a boost of water and mud from his trunk as if to say stay still until we move away. She understood the message and relaxed back down and waited.
Early the next morning Mike, Rod and Alex each took a team of four.
The work was slow and tedious as Hannes and Hein scuttled up their respective trees and they were soon skillfully dropping branches onto the ground below.
My team were on the rampage and ropes were fastened to large branches that stretched high over the house and then secured to the Land Rover’s tow-hitch. A chain saw was aimed at the base of each bough and before the blade was half way through the village echoed as the wheels spun. Clouds of grey smoke rose from the tar as the wheels of the Land Rover screamed in protest at the resistance from the boughs. Then suddenly the stem would yield and the Landy would hurtle down the village road with a large Tipuana bough in close pursuit, not one falling on or damaging a roof.
This process was repeated until all that remained was a small stump ….logs, branches and leaves covered the road but the P4W ladies, Kim, Charmaine, Dot, Bev and Michelle worked tirelessly to clear a path for vehicles.
Alex took the balance of the group and Gavin was given the unenviable task of shinning high amongst the upper canopy to secure the ropes. Unfortunately these boughs needed finesse and Gavin had to perch high above the roof as he cut each branch. Progress on this tree was slow but any slip would mean serious damage to the house below.
The sound of chain saws brought a group of residents out of their homes…some watched in fascination whilst a few asked why these trees had been condemned.
Mike Reed explained that these Tipuanas (Tipuana tipu) were originally introduced into South Africa from South America and, although they provide good shade and nectar for bees, they have become a problem plant in the warmer parts of our country and they are now classified as category 3 of invader species.
These are popular Highveld trees but many a young homeowner has lived to regret the time he or she planted one in the garden. In spring the tree is covered with yellow flowers; later however “propeller” seeds, which spin long distances to swimming pools and promptly block all automatic pool cleaners, replace these flowers. The un-initiated park their cars under the Tipuana and return later to find a puddle of “water” on the bonnet from the spittle bug; this insect sucks the sap of the tree for the sugars and salts of the tree and in this quest it sucks large volumes of liquid from the stem and the waste pours out onto the car below.
It was eleven o’clock when Alex’s team joined the others for cool drinks and some sustenance. Dave took this opportunity to break the news to Clive that one of the boughs that Gavin had tied, slipped and it had fallen puncturing the roof. The extent of the damage was still to be assessed but from the expression on Clive’s face it was evident that no matter how trivial the damage it was not going to go down well with the Head of Parks.
Even Dave was not able to keep a straight face for long and eventually broke down and told Clive that all was well and that only a few clivia leaves had suffered damage thus far.
Work continued, it was getting late and the team of 18 P4W rangers and 4 SANParks officials were showing signs of exhaustion when a lunch break was called. Everyone had a couple of bottles of water before they wolfed down a hot dog or two and then collapsed on the tarred road to rest the weary body.
I recognized the fatigue that had set in and quickly got everyone together for the final onslaught. Myself, Hannes and Hein had cleared the branches of a huge tree and were discussing the options to dropping the massive main trunk when the home owner appeared, accompanied by a local news reporter and a member of the TV programme 50/50. The home owner had seen us debating how to drop the huge trunk and stated that the palm tree in front of the truck was not to be damaged. There was an uncomfortable silence before I spoke up, “No problem” I said “ Hein do a V cut facing the gate then a back cut towards the V and stand well clear as it starts to move. Hannes stand clear in front of the land Rover at the gate and indicate to me the moment Hein is clear. The pull of the Landy will ensure all is well!” Hein was about to argue but Hannes said “Just do it!” Another 45 minutes of cutting and preparation and Hannes indicated all was clear, I floored the Landy and tree moved as it was intended, crashing down across the lawn, through the gate and onto the road, hardly a leaf of the poor now flat palm tree could be seen under the trunk. As the dust and pandemonium settled the reporter approached me and asked “Did you think for one minute that it would miss the palm tree?” “NOPE! But sometimes it’s easier to get forgiveness than to get permission.” I replied. She burst out laughing until the tears ran down her face.
Back to camp for a hot shower, a short rest before a settling around the fire with a beer and watching the flames lick at the marinated chops on the fire… some telling stories of close encounters with the chain saws whilst others deep in their own thoughts as they listened to a jackal howling far in the distance.