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Council recently joined the global drive to green urban environments and started with the planting of a variety of tree species in and around the city.

Until recently, tree-planting in the capital had been haphazard while the few planted trees failed to receive due attention.
Director of housing and community services Mr Justin Chivavaya, who is co-ordinating the greening project, feels shortchanged by motorists and pedestrians.

Some of the newly-planted trees have been uprooted, broken or trampled upon.
“I appeal to residents to help keep the trees. It is for their benefit. We are playing our part and they should play their part,” he said.

Early last month, council started planting trees in the central business district.
Motorists were irked with some of them running over the newly-planted trees and others deliberately destroying the emerging city green belts.
Mr Chivavaya acknowledged the conflicting demands of Harare motorists in relation to trees and parking space.

“In urban areas there is bound to be a conflict between parking space and tree planting. Motorists should realise they need the trees to provide them with shade.
“Trees help to absorb the gases emitted by vehicles. A clean environment begets a healthy people.

“The city will obviously have to redraw on street parking bays on affected roads,” he said.

He said the type of trees being planted has no effect on city buildings as the roots go down as opposed to spreading
Mr Chivavaya said besides climate change mitigation effects, trees help to beautify the environment.

Trees provide shade, act as windbreaks and provide food.
Trees act as carbon sinks that absorb noxious gases emitted by industry and vehicular traffic.

Council can save the trees by erecting mesh wire around them, which can be removed when the trees have grown.