Drive to cut Damas trees in Arabian Ranches, Emirates Living

An initiative by Emaar Community Management is in full swing against the destructive Damas trees. Highlighting the disasters that this tree can cause, Emaar is urging all residents in its popular villa communities to get rid of them.

“Due to the high risks of damage caused by the trees’ extensive root network , we advise our residents to remove these trees from their gardens,” advises Emaar.

There are notices kept at the entrance of each sub-community within The Springs saying ‘Say No To Damas”. Pamphlets have been distributed to each house detailing the risks with a Damas tree in an individual’s garden.

“Popular with UAE gardeners for its fast growth and perennially green foliage, the Damas (Conocarpus) tree line gardens throughout our community. However, few realise the long-term risks associated with these trees,” reads the pamphlet.

Elaborating the risks associated with these trees, the Emaar campaign says that whether it’s the pipes, walls, pathways, drains, pools, shrubs- nothing is safe when a Damas tree is near. “While Damas trees are excellent for screening purpose, they have created havoc in our community as their far reaching roots seek water, preventing anything else from growing nearby. Tales of broken pipes, enormours Dewa bills, damaged walls, root-clogged drains and leaf –filled pools abound. The culprit? Most often, [it’s the] Damas trees.”

“My garden wall has been displaced by a couple of inches because we had a Damas tree. We immediately got it removed,” said a resident of Springs 11.

A landlord in Springs 9 said he is asking his tenant to get rid of Damas trees in the villa. “I’ve asked him many times but tenants don’t seem to be bothered as they don’t own the house,” he said.

Emaar Community Management is offering discounted rates to residents in Arabian Ranches and Emirates Living for a limited period of time.

For cutting down a Damas tree clear trunk height up to 5 m the cost is Dh575, which was Dh700 earlier. The campaign runs from October 7-20, 2012.

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