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Following an inspection with members of the tree expert group, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), in consideration of public safety, today (September 4) removed a lebbeck tree in Kowloon Park.
Listed on the Register of Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs), the lebbeck tree, registration number YTM/71, was next to the north-south-bound main path running through Kowloon Park.
LCSD staff and the tree experts inspected the lebbeck tree today and observed that it was leaning seriously towards the main path and its base was showing signs of movement.
The trunk was no longer strong enough to support the load.
They also found that the tree had no chance of recovery. So, in consideration of public safety, the tree was removed today.
Since August 27, the LCSD has been inspecting the big trees on the Register of the OVTs and other big trees under its management.
As at September 3, the LCSD had completed the inspection of 123 OVTs and nearly 22,500 other trees.
Including the lebbeck tree removed in Kowloon Park today, the LCSD has removed two trees on the Register of the OVTs since August 27 as a result of inspections, the other one being the coral tree in San Po Kong removed on August 30.
Ends/Thursday, September 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:17
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