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To protect public safety, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (May 26) has completed inspection of about 70 trees in the vicinity of Perth Street, including Perth Street, Dunbar Road and Shek Ku Street. No indication of termite attack or abnormal condition had been found. In addition, a professional pest control agent was invited by the LCSD to look at the trees in the area this morning. The agent did not find any sign of termite. The tree team of the LCSD will continue to monitor the condition of the trees in the area.
The department is still investigating into the reason for the collapse of a Horsetail Tree at Kadoorie Road this morning. No one was injured in the incident. It was last inspected in April this year and no abnormality was detected at that time. Initial finding indicates that there was no abnormal condition. The collapse is believed to be caused by loosened soil as a result of the continuous heavy rain over the past few days. The department has inspected the trees in the vicinity and did not find any problematic tree.
The LCSD stressed that it would continue to adopt a prudent approach in managing its trees. Removing a problematic tree would only be the last resort when there was no viable option to keep it. The department decided to remove thirty trees after the latest round of inspection. These trees pose no immediate danger but have to be removed because they were unable to grow healthily and may pose potential danger to the public. Among them, eight have been removed and the remaining will be removed within this week. Most of these trees are located in LCSD's parks. For their locations, please see Annex.
The department has already engaged qualified contractors to assist its tree teams in enhancing the inspection of Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs) during the typhoon season between now and October.
Regarding the trees which are not listed on the Register of OVTs, the department will pay special attention to the trees in areas with heavier pedestrian or vehicular traffic, in particular larger trees, as they may pose higher risk in case of an accident. The department will also engage contractors to assist in speeding up inspecting and maintaining other trees identified.
Ends/Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:15
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