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An Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) suffering from poor health and in potential danger of collapse was removed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) this morning (December 8) to ensure public safety.
The 15-metre-tall Chinese Banyan, with registration number LCSD YTM/10, was located outside No. 165, Park Lane Shoppers Boulevard, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Earlier in the week, the Tree Management Office (TMO) of the Development Bureau together with experts and LCSD staff conducted thorough examinations of the OVT. They confirmed that the tree, which was suffering from brown root rot disease and infested with banyan tussock moths, had little chance of recovery. Although the structure of the tree was not in immediate danger of collapse, considering the potential risk of a sick tree in a location with high pedestrian flow, the TMO and LCSD decided the tree should be removed as early as possible to safeguard the public.
The LCSD will closely monitor the health of other OVTs in the area. Follow-up and maintenance measures will be instituted where appropriate.
The department will continue to adopt a prudent approach in managing trees under its care. For trees in poor condition, removal will be the last resort, only when there are no other viable options.
Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 13:11
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