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The Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) removed an Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) on a slope of the Former Central Government Offices today (December 21) to ensure public safety and prevent a potential spread of brown root rot (BRR) disease to trees in adjacent areas.
The tree, a Ficus microcarpa maintained by the ArchSD, was about 13-metres tall and listed as LCSD CW/94 on the Register of OVT. During inspections between December 2012 and April 2013, sparse crown density, unusually small leaf size and considerable amounts of dieback twigs and dead branches were observed. Upon laboratory diagnosis of the tree in May 2013, the Tree Management Office (TMO) of the Development Bureau confirmed that it had been infected with BRR disease. The ArchSD subsequently took remedial measures including application of fungicide.
Resistographic and tomographic tests conducted by the ArchSD in June 2013 revealed that the overall structural condition of the tree was very poor. As there had been no improvement in the health and structural condition, the ArchSD proposed to remove the tree as a measure to mitigate potential public safety risks and to prevent further spread of BRR disease to adjacent trees. The TMO and the Expert Panel on Tree Management conducted a joint site inspection in November 2013 and both agreed that the tree should be removed as soon as possible. The ArchSD arranged the removal today.
Ends/Saturday, December 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:01
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