Potchefstroom is home to the longest avenue of oak trees in South Africa. The grand oaks stretch for almost 7km and contribute to the character and beauty of the city. Recent research indicates that the number of trees has declined from 710 to 530 and certain sections are in a deplorable state. In the article below Lennie Gouws explores the history and current state of iconic Oak Avenue.
Concerns about the condition of the oak trees of Potchefstroom have infuriated the people of Potchefstroom over the decades.
In 1977 the whole town was up in arms when plans were underfoot to uproot part of the Oak Avenue. The Potchefstroom Teachers Training College applied to have a part of Hoffman Street closed, due to the fact that it divided the campus of the College, after a new administration building was erected west of Hoffman Street, whilst the rest of the campus was on the eastern side of the street.
This meant that the street directly to the east of Hoffman Street, Tom Street, had to be widened to accommodate increasing traffic. In order to do so the trees had to be removed.
According to Richard Ingram, editor of the Potchefstroom Herald at the time, the newspaper was inundated with letters on the matter and the Herald launched an editorial campaign to preserve the trees.
A public petition was drafted and signed and led to the avenue being declared a National Monument. According to the proclamation of this heritage site, the Oak Avenue “lends to the...
