Urban Forests Protection Group

www.coolforests.org.za

Our submitted proposal to the so-called Public Participation Process :

We wish to state clearly that this group does not see the issue as plantations vs fynbos. We greatly appreciate the value, beauty and importance of this asset to the Peninsula and support efforts to identify and protect fynbos species endemic to the Park. On the other hand in the light of the fact that the plantations are only 2% or less of the total area of TMNP this is an asset of importance.

What makes the TMNP unique to all the other National Parks

managed by SANP is that it is an integral part of the City of Cape

Town - an urban Park and we believe that there is a strong case

for the integration of a core MANAGED plantation as a part of the TMNP.

2. Afro-montane forest.

Both Tokai and Cecelia have a number of patches of valuable indigenous forest along the stream banks. We support the enlargement of these patches by the felling of the adjoining stands of pine and eucalypt where the soil moisture is sufficient to support the indigenous growth. In our detailed proposals which are shown on the attached maps of Tokai and Cecelia we have indicated areas which we consider suitable for the extension of the existing indigenous forest patches which amount to an additional 118 ha of forest. The experience of SANP in Newlands and Orange Kloof where enrichment planting has been done is that successful establishment has been where the soil moisture during the summer months has been adequate. It is unrealistic to expect the total area currently under pines to be replaced by indigenous species. Even the hardy pioneer species such as boekenhout, wildpeach and kerarboom will not form a permanent shady canopy cover as is presently provided by the mature pines. Another important aspect is that unlike the pine plantations, the indigenous forest areas are sensitive to trampling and even where these forest patches can replace existing pine stands they will not be suitable for providing shady areas for extensive recreation of walking, horse riding or mountain biking.

3. Recreation use.

The daily occupation of the car parks at Tokai

and Cecelia are an indication of the level of popularity of these

areas. Over weekends there is a parking problem. A professional survey of visitor use throughout the year, but especially in the summer months must be done to establish the volume and type of recreation in Tokai and Cecilia. This is a prerequisite for planning recreation for any urban area. The main recreational use is for:

walking mainly in the lower areas though in Cecelia a popular

walk is from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch dog walking at Cecelia over most of the plantation.

At Tokai Dog walking is only allowed in the lower plantation and is very heavily used, the upper areas would be used if made available.

Hiking the shady walk from the car park to the lower table is

popular in Cecelia and the Elephants Eye walk is at Tokai is well

used.

Mountain biking is only possible at present at Tokai and is used

daily and for competitive events.

Horse riding is only allowed at Tokai and there are numerous

private stables adjoining the plantation and the upper southern

section is extensively used.

Mushroom collection in both plantations are used extensively

The public use the plantations specifically because of the

character of these relatively large blocks of tall mature trees

providing shade and shelter from the south-easter in the

summer, a forest atmosphere or protection from erosion of

mountain bike and horse traffic and a soil climate suitable for

mushroom growth. With the rapidly expanding population of the

Mother City, largely in the treeless Cape Flats these areas are and will become increasingly important. The plantations are the only remaining large blocks of shady open space in the Peninsula and as has been mentioned represent a very small percentage of the total area of the Park.

As wilt be dealt with later, working plantations with a wide

espacement and long rotation of at least 5O years is proposed, This will produce a park like effect with large tall trees with

undergrowth cancelling out the so called sterile stands of

trees. The picnic area at Tokai is an example of what this type of

management will produce, though in that case the undergrowth is cleared manually.

The existing extensive network of well constructed footpaths in

the TMNP provide excellent access to almost all of the fynbos areas in the park and will no doubt continue to serve that function.

The two plantations have served a large number of the public for

recreation for many years and are considered an important and

integral part of the attraction of the Peninsula.

4. Historic importance.

There is a difference of opinion on whether plantations which are managed i.e, cycles of planting and felling have an heritage value. The fact remains that the first timber plantings in $A were made at Tokai some of which can be seen at the arboretum. Tokai was also the site of the first school for training foresters. This plantation boasts one of the few stands of redwood which if not felled will grow to the size of the famous redwoods in the USA and consideration should be given to extending this valuable cultural stand. At Cecelia the cork oak (Qeuercus suber) avenue from Constantia Nek is part of the original gravel Rhodes Drive and as such Part of our heritage. The large karri gum (Euc.diversicola) stand adjacent to Rhodes Drive is a beautiful landmark and often used by film crews.

The fact that many citizens consider the plantations a part of the

heritage of the Peninsula is an important factor.

Attached is a submission from the Hout Bay and Llandudno

Heritage Trust to the SA Heritage Trust requesting an

investigation of the Heritage status of' the plantations.

5. Areas for possible exclusion.

We are open to the consideration of excluding plantation areas where:

{i} it is proven that rare and endemic species of fynbos are

threatened by existing plantation

{ii} certain of the upper slopes of poor soil need to be felled for

aesthetic reasons e.g. visually intrusive

6. Managed plantations.

We accept that plantations remaining after the removal of trees for indigenous forest expansion and possibly some areas in 5 above, (probably no more than 1.5% of the total area of the TMNP) need to be managed as a working plantation i.e. a cycle of felling and replanting.

To improve the aesthetic and biological status of the plantation

we are recommending that the planting espacement to be much

wider than at present and the rotation age be extended from the

current 35 to at least 5O years. This will result in much larger

trees with a park like effect with undergrowth promoting

increased insect and soil fauna.

The timber produced will be prime high value peeler logs of

which there is a short supply in the Western Cape. This will also

provide considerable revenue for the TMNP.

Having a longer rotation will mean less frequent forestry

operations and consequently less interference with the public use of the plantation for recreation.

The pine specie recommended is Pinus radiata which has a low

invasive status and any spread can be easily controlled.

Most of, the existing plantations are being managed by contractors and the forestry operations of these small plantations can be managed in this way.

Despite being surrounded by highly inflammable fynbos both

plantations have never experienced any serious fires and can not be considered a threat to surrounding areas.

7. In the light of the above motivation we recommend that core

areas of the Tokai and Cecilia plantations as shown on the

attached maps be managed for the dual purpose of primarily

recreation with a secondary goal high value timber production.

This is not in conflict with the aims of a national park and will

enhance the value of the TMNP: the significant areas of endemic

biodiversity within the plantation areas will be preserved.

the cultural value of the mature plantations in the Peninsula landscape will be provided by a core area.

The existing need for shady recreation is provided for.

The provision of a valuable timber supply which should balance any loss due to the cancellation of the Exit Policy.

Angus Wilson, BSe Forestry

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