The City of Cape Town has raised concerns after samples taken from a Boxelder tree on a private property in Oakdale, Bellville, tested positive for the invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle (PSHB).

This infestation is the first to be recorded in Oakdale, almost two months after it was found in a tree in Durbanville.

“‘At this point, we cannot confirm the number of infested trees in the Oakdale area as our team will have to conduct surveys in order to determine the extent of the spread.

“I am urging all private land owners in Bellville to urgently inspect the trees on their properties for symptoms and to contact us immediately should any of these be visible on any trees,” said Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.

He urged residents to give City teams access to their properties to conduct assessment to be able to determine the extent of the infestation in and around Oakdale.

“To prevent or minimise the spread of PSHB, it is important that we avoid moving plant material such as firewood from one area to the other and most importantly to our Protected Areas and public open spaces,” he said.

Over 6 000 infested trees have been identified across Cape Town. Among these trees, there are highly susceptible reproductive host species such as Boxelder; Weeping Willow and English Oak.

To report PSHB beetle sightings, you can contact the City of Cape Town’s Invasive Species Unit at 021 444 2357 or email invasive.species@capetown.gov.za

What to look out for and symptoms of infested trees:

* Branch dieback – cracks on the branch; discoloured leaves; dry and leafless branches; branch break-off revealing webs of galleries filled with black fungus.

* Gumming – blobs of goo coming out of the bark; oozing of liquid and gum from the beetle holes.

* Entry and exit holes – very small holes on the bark of the tree, the size of a sesame seed (2mm); shotgun-like scars developing around the holes.

* Staining – brown or dark stains on the bark of the tree.