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Big trees may be root of problems at Hysan Place

The species Hysan Place has chosen to replace axed plants is unsightly, and has large roots that could damage the pavement, expert warns

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The original trees outside Hysan Place. Behind them is the Apple store being built last year. Photo: SCMP

The biggest developer in Causeway Bay is planning to plant a tree species outside its award-winning mall that is potentially destructive to the local environment.

Tree specialists warned yesterday the seven chukrasia tabularis, or Burmese almond wood, earmarked for Kai Chiu Road may be too large and unsightly for the congested street, and might grow sprawling roots that could push up the pavement.

Hysan Development chose the seven new trees to replace six Elaeocarpus apiculatus it removed with government consent last August, a week after the grand opening of Hysan Place in Causeway Bay.

Ken So Kwok-yin, chief executive of the Conservancy Association, questioned Hysan's choice, as the new species needed large underground space for its roots. "This is a big tree, which grows very fast. It also has strong roots that could eventually spring out and break the pavement surface from beneath," he said. "In a small and congested area like Kai Chiu Road, the species could be a bad choice."

The old trees outside what is now the Apple store in Hysan Place were felled, after being deemed "structurally defective" and in "unsatisfactory health condition".

However, five months after the trees were axed there are still no sign of the controversial replacements.

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