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An Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) at Tai Po Road, near Tai Po Kau Park, Tai Po, was removed today (April 16) to ensure public safety after it was found to be infected by brown root rot (BRR) disease and had the potential risk of collapse, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said.
The tree was a 27-metre-tall sweet gum tree (Liquidambar formosana) which was listed in the Register of OVTs with the registration number LCSD TP/15.
The spokesman said that the department had all along carried out regular inspections and maintenance on the tree. During a regular inspection in October last year, the tree was found to have signs of abnormal defoliation and twigs/branches dieback. The department then carried out a series of remedial measures, including pruning to remove dead branches and cabling to stabilise the tree. The tree was also put under close monitoring by the department. However, the health condition of the tree did not show any signs of improvement and more branches were found withering in the recent inspections. Subsequently, the Tree Management Office (TMO) of the Development Bureau confirmed through laboratory tests that the tree was infected by BRR disease.
During a detailed inspection last December, the abnormal wilting of the tree was found to have worsened. The department conducted a joint site inspection with the TMO and the Expert Panel on Tree Management (EPTM) of the Development Bureau in March this year, and confirmed that the tree's condition was very poor and that it had lost its vigour with no chance of recovery. Furthermore, it was also observed that the tree had structural problems which posed a potential danger of collapse. As the tree was located near a busy traffic lane, the TMO and the EPTM agreed that the tree should be removed as soon as possible for the sake of public safety.
The spokesman stressed that the department would continue to adopt a prudent approach in inspecting and managing trees under its care. Removal of problematic trees will be the last resort only when there are no other viable options.
Ends/Thursday, April 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:15
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