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An Old and Valuable Tree in Central and Western District has been removed today (November 4) to ensure public safety after it was found to have the risk of collapse, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said.
The affected tree was located near the junction of Garden Road and Kennedy Road. It was a 16-metre-tall Ficus microcarpa and listed on the Register of Old and Valuable Trees with registration number LCSD CW/73.
The spokesman said that the department has all along carried out regular inspections and maintenance to the tree. A large cavity was found in the tree trunk in 2008, measuring 370cm in length, 80cm in width and 60cm in depth. The department has also carried out a number of remedial measures including trimming of the tree crown, application of fungicide and installation of steel cables to stabilise the structure of the tree in the past few years.
Despite the remedial measures taken, the health condition of the tree was not improving significantly. During a joint inspection by LCSD staff and the Expert Panel on Tree Management of the Development Bureau this September, the health condition of the tree was found to be deteriorating further and the structure of the tree was in an unsatisfactory condition.
"As the tree was found to have the risk of collapse and located on a busy carriageway, we have decided to remove it as soon as possible after consulting the Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau so as to ensure public safety," the spokesman said.
The spokesman stressed that the LCSD would continue to inspect and maintain trees with due care, and removal of any trees would be the last resort only when there were no other viable options.
Ends/Sunday, November 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00
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