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Conocarpus Erectus, or ‘Damas’ as the tree is called in Arabic, is one of the
most popular foliage choices in any Dubai residential garden.
However, what may seem an innocent seed can grow out to become a monster.
The Damas tree grows fast, looks bright-green and provides a lot of shade.
It has a high salt- and drought-tolerance and thrives exceptionally well in a hot city climate.
It is no wonder that this tree is one of Dubai’s favorites.
“People who are not from this region have no idea what the consequences of planting this tree may be,” says a gardener of Dreams Flower Co, in the green business for the past 13 years.
The Parks and Horticulture Department of Dubai Municipality launched a campaign earlier this year after receiving 240 reports of the tree causing harm in different parts of the emirate.
“The problem that this tree currently poses is that its roots have the ability to break into water and sanitation systems, grow inside these systems forcing them into strange shapes, which prevents the water from entering the house,” explains Ahmad Mohammad Abdul Kareem, Director of the Department.
As soon as the tree has reached the maturity of one month, roots can grow into same lengths below the ground as the rest of the tree above the ground.
These enormous roots are strong, aggressive and in search for any source of water. In order to get to this source, nothing is in their way.
"Many landscapers do not know how to plant these trees," says Sadam Hussein, production manager at Desert Group.
"Sometimes they plant it near kitchens, toilets or swimming pools, where this plant can sense the water availability and direct its roots to that direction, which can damage walls and other material."
According to Sadam, the tree should be a public area tree only. "The tree could be planted in private gardens only to function as a border, or fence.
“We normally sell around 15-20 thousand trees a year. And we receive orders for removal too, but from people who had the tree planted in the wrong place."
However, what may seem an innocent seed can grow out to become a monster.
The Damas tree grows fast, looks bright-green and provides a lot of shade.
It has a high salt- and drought-tolerance and thrives exceptionally well in a hot city climate.
It is no wonder that this tree is one of Dubai’s favorites.
“People who are not from this region have no idea what the consequences of planting this tree may be,” says a gardener of Dreams Flower Co, in the green business for the past 13 years.
The Parks and Horticulture Department of Dubai Municipality launched a campaign earlier this year after receiving 240 reports of the tree causing harm in different parts of the emirate.
“The problem that this tree currently poses is that its roots have the ability to break into water and sanitation systems, grow inside these systems forcing them into strange shapes, which prevents the water from entering the house,” explains Ahmad Mohammad Abdul Kareem, Director of the Department.
As soon as the tree has reached the maturity of one month, roots can grow into same lengths below the ground as the rest of the tree above the ground.
These enormous roots are strong, aggressive and in search for any source of water. In order to get to this source, nothing is in their way.
"Many landscapers do not know how to plant these trees," says Sadam Hussein, production manager at Desert Group.
"Sometimes they plant it near kitchens, toilets or swimming pools, where this plant can sense the water availability and direct its roots to that direction, which can damage walls and other material."
According to Sadam, the tree should be a public area tree only. "The tree could be planted in private gardens only to function as a border, or fence.
“We normally sell around 15-20 thousand trees a year. And we receive orders for removal too, but from people who had the tree planted in the wrong place."
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