Future of well-loved old pine tree again in doubt
The future of a landmark tree at Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong that was spared the axe last year is again in doubt after it was damaged during drainage work on the campus.
School alumni have asked the government and school to publicly explain what has happened to the tree, how bad it is and what can be done to save it.
Old students who inspected the tree last Saturday said a drainage contractor explained that an area under the tree had been excavated to a depth of 40cm and some roots, including one 15cm in diameter, had been accidentally cut.
They urged the school to allow independent specialists to inspect the tree and make public their findings before any decision was made on the tree's fate.
The 20-metre tall Norfolk Island pine faced removal last July because it was leaning slightly and school management feared it posed a threat to students and traffic. The 70-year-old tree is close to a building in the school's primary section and next to Waterloo Road. More than a thousand former pupils joined an internet campaign to save the tree.
A spokeswoman for the Development Bureau said the tree had been damaged by drainage work but it was premature to suggest it would be chopped down. 'We are still discussing with the school appropriate ways of handling the tree,' she said.
