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An Old and Valuable Tree in North District has been removed to ensure public safety after it was found to be at risk of collapse, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said today (November 30).
Listed on the Register of Old and Valuable Trees with the registration number LCSD N/46, the 14-metre-tall paper-bark tree was located on Castle Peak Road near Kwu Tung Road.
The spokesman said that the LCSD had all along carried out regular inspections and maintenance on the tree.
"In 2010, department staff found a large cavity in the trunk. Since then, we had closely monitored the condition of the tree and taken a series of remedial measures including pruning the tree crown and dead branches to reduce its weight as well as installing cables to stabilise the structure of the tree," he said.
During a detailed examination with the use of sonic tomographs and resistographs in early November this year, department staff found that there was serious decay in the main trunk of the tree and the remaining sound wood thickness was severely undermined.
The spokesman said, "The Expert Panel on Tree Management of the Development Bureau conducted a joint visit and inspection to the tree with the LCSD in mid-November. It was found that the overall condition and stability of the tree were poor and it had a potential risk of collapse. To ensure public safety, we decided to remove it as soon as possible after consulting the Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau."
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/Friday, November 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:00
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