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An Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) that was found to be at potential danger of collapse was removed from Kowloon Park today (October 10) for public safety, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said.
Located at the entrance of the footbridge linking to China Hong Kong City, the tree, a 12-metre-tall Ficus microcarpa, was listed on the Register of OVTs with registration number LCSD YTM/74.
The spokesman said the OVT, with a number of co-dominant stems, was found to have sparse foliage as well as rotten stem union, main trunk and scaffold branches during a joint inspection by the LCSD, the Tree Management Office (TMO) and the Expert Panel on Tree Management of the Development Bureau in October 2012. Its overall health condition was fair and its structure was poor. The LCSD thereafter conducted regular detailed checks and appropriate maintenance for the tree, including pruning the tree crown to reduce its weight, installing extra cables to provide support, and, when necessary, applying fungicide as well as carrying out termite control.
However, a new crack was found recently at the union of the co-dominant stems. The LCSD then conducted a comprehensive structural assessment for the tree and found its structure had deteriorated with a potential risk of collapse. To ensure public safety, the department reported the situation to the TMO. Upon consultation of the Expert Panel, the TMO agreed to urgent removal of the tree for the sake of public safety. The removal works were completed today.
The spokesman reiterated that the department would continue to adopt a prudent approach in inspecting and managing the trees under its care. Removal of problematic trees will be undertaken only when no other viable risk reduction option is available.
Ends/Friday, October 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:00
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