Residents of the Dairy Farm Estate condominium are protesting their management’s decision to cut down four apparently healthy khaya trees in their estate. Over 200 residents have signed a petition to save the trees, which are located beside Block 9. Disputing an arborist report provided by the management, some residents claim it could be rigged and plan to sit around the trees in protest on 21 September.
## Background
The decision to cut down the trees was made after another khaya tree fell during a storm in June, damaging a car. Following this incident, the management hired an arborist to assess the estate’s trees. In August, they announced the decision to cut down four more khaya trees for safety reasons. Residents argue that these trees help prevent soil erosion, drain water, and serve as habitats for local wildlife. According to the NParks website, the Khaya senegalensis is a hardy, fast-growing tree originally from Africa that can grow up to 30 metres tall.
## Controversy
A Change.org petition to save the trees, started in mid-August, has garnered 240 signatures as of 20 September. Photos shared by residents show the trees with verdant foliage, each appearing to be at least seven storeys tall. The petition claims a potential conflict of interest, as the arborist engaged by the management is employed by the same landscaping company that manages the estate. Residents have also questioned the authenticity of the arborist’s report, which initially recommended pruning and monitoring the trees but was later revised to recommend their removal. According to a post in the “Dairy Farm Estate condo residents” Facebook group, the arborist allegedly told residents that the management council had instructed him to change the report.
## Residents plan to ‘protect trees with their bodies’
As of 19 September, the trees have already been cordoned off. A management notice stated that the tree-cutting and pruning exercise would be carried out from 16 September until the end of October. Workers were seen removing surrounding foliage on 20 September. Some residents plan to sit in protest beside the trees to prevent them from being cut down. Petra, a resident, mentioned that around 10 people showed up in support on 20 September. “People are planning to protest and protect the trees with their bodies,” she added. Fathership has reached out to the Dairy Farm Estate management council for comment.
## Future implications
The controversy over the tree-cutting decision has highlighted broader issues of transparency and trust between the management and residents. The outcome of this protest could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. If the residents succeed in halting the tree-cutting, it may encourage other communities to take a stand against decisions they perceive as unjust. Conversely, if the management proceeds with the tree removal, it could lead to further tensions and a potential loss of trust in the management’s decisions.
