A tiny, pinsized beetle is slowly killing Cape Town’s trees. This beetle digs into trees and introduces a deadly fungus that chokes the tree from the inside. The city is fighting back with special teams, tree injections, and even citizen help to track the beetle’s spread. They are planning to replace many trees with stronger native species, but it’s a huge, ongoing battle.
Cape Town is fighting the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle with a free education initiative. The program aims to educate businesses and residents on identifying and managing the beetle to mitigate the damage it inflicts on the city’s urban forest. The training covers infested tree identification, correct protocols for managing and transporting affected biomass, and responsible green waste transportation. Residents and businesses are encouraged to report sightings of the beetle and attend the free training sessions to maintain their gardens in a safe and ecofriendly manner.
