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An Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) inside Hong Kong Park infected with the brown root rot (BRR) disease collapsed today (December 17). No one was injured in the incident.
The tree was a Ficus microcarpa of around 18 metres height and listed on the Register of OVTs with the registration number LCSD CW/110. It was maintained by the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD).
The ArchSD and the Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau conducted a joint site inspection immediately after the tree failure. Preliminary investigation revealed that the BRR disease had damaged the structure of the tree whereas the uninfected roots attached to a vertical retaining wall could not provide sufficient anchorage support to the tree. The collapse is believed to be caused by heavy rainfall in recent days and massive water intake by the tree crown leading to weight gain.
During an ArchSD regular inspection carried out in September last year, the tree was suspected of being infected with the BRR disease. Appropriate remedial measures such as the application of fungicide were implemented. Last inspection conducted by the ArchSD on August 23 revealed that the crown condition was fair and no sign showing significant decline in the overall health condition was detected.
To prevent the spreading of the BRR disease to trees nearby, the ArchSD has started the clearance today. It is expected to be completed tomorrow (December 18).
Ends/Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:55
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