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Concern over the fate of the city's historic stone walls and the ancient trees that grow on many of them has prompted a call for their conservation.

Jim Chi-yung, head of the geography department at the University of Hong Kong, said about 500 of the walls and more than 1,200 trees required protection.

Professor Jim said he had received many reports of ancient trees being destroyed over recent years.

'The trees on the old stone walls are unique, cultural, natural and living heritages that Hong Kong people should cherish,' he said.

Professor Jim said he had already raised the issue with councillors in Wan Chai and Central, and Western districts.

Hong Kong's oldest stone walls were built more than a century ago.

More than 10 per cent of trees growing on stone walls in Hong Kong are taller than 9 metres.  Their roots grow through the walls and deep into the surrounding soil.

Professor Jim said heritage conservation should be the responsibility of everyone, including the government. But he said his pleas  for an ordinance to protect urban trees had been dismissed as unnecessary.

'The government says there are nearly 50 laws or guidelines to protect trees, but actually they are not protecting urban trees,' he said.

'Those laws and guidelines are so vague that urban trees are effectively left unprotected. There is no specific legislation to protect trees that grow on ancient stone walls.'

Three years ago, a row of ancient trees growing on stone walls in  Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, were pulled down to make way for a development project. Since then, trees aged more than 100 years old have been cut down and stone walls covered with cement in Caine Road, Sheung Wan.

Professor Jim warned that the improper conservation of stone walls could also kill ancient trees.

He said many people did not make a connection when trees suddenly died years after work had been carried out to stabilise the walls on which they were growing.

Professor Jim suggested that the government provide  property owners with financial assistance to help preserve the stone walls and trees.

'Maybe the government can set up a public fund to help them,' he said.

'The lives of trees growing on old stone walls are under threat. Will the next generation have the chance to appreciate them?'

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department failed to respond to inquiries  on the issue from the Post.



Conservation call goes out for historic stone walls, ancient trees