'Old and valuable' tree in Central axed after becoming latest to succumb to brown root rot disease
A century-old tree at the former government headquarters in Central was chopped down after being diagnosed with brown root rot disease, the latest in a series of sick trees being removed from the area in recent years.
A century-old tree at the former government headquarters in Central was chopped down yesterday after being diagnosed with brown root rot disease, the latest in a series of sick trees being removed from the area in recent years.
Tree expert Professor Jim Chi-yung believed the spread of the disease could be a result of slope stabilisation works, which made soil less porous and affected how tree roots absorbed water.
The tree, a big-leaved fig 20 metres tall, formerly stood on a slope on Battery Path and was removed "to ensure public safety and prevent a potential spread of brown root rot disease to trees in adjacent areas", the Development Bureau said. It was on the official "old and valuable tree" list and estimated to be more than 100 years old.
The Tree Management Office confirmed in November the tree had been infected, though its structural condition was found to be fair.
"The BRR infection of the tree was at an advanced stage and rapid deterioration in health and structural conditions was anticipated. Architectural Services Department thus proposed to remove the tree to ensure public safety and prevent further spread of BRR disease to adjacent trees," a bureau statement read.
It was the second old and valuable tree to be chopped down at the old government headquarters in two years. A Chinese banyan was removed for the same reason in December 2013.
The condition of trees on the site has been a concern. In June 2007, a 10-metre tree on Battery Path tumbled down the slope and landed on the road opposite HSBC's headquarters, damaging a bus shelter. No one was injured.
Jim said the tree cut yesterday was one of the big trees remaining on the slope but given the critical decay at the trunk base and lower part of the trunk the risk of collapse had to be considered.
"I am extremely reluctant [to see this tree removed], but the safety threat is too big. This tree was estimated to weigh over 20 tonnes. If it fell onto the busy Queen's Road Central, it could cause a big tragedy," he said.
Despite extensive research, scientists are yet to find a cure to brown root rot disease, he added.
