/ 29 March 1999

TREE STAYS FOR TENORS

THE Water Affairs and Forestry Ministry said on Friday that the 100-year-old karee tree in the gardens of Pretoria’s Union Building will not be harmed by next month’s performance by the three tenors. Organisers had planned to temporarily uproot the tree as it partially obscures the view of the stage, which led to a public outcry. The ministry said on Friday that the tree will not be uprooted but merely pruned. ”This limited pruning will not adversely affect the vitality or appearance of the tree,” the ministry said.