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Tree expert defends role with developer

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Consultant says he can protect surviving species at the former Marine Police site

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Cheung Kong (Holdings) has hired the city's top tree specialist to preserve trees that survived its site clearance at the former Marine Police headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui.

University of Hong Kong geography professor Jim Chi-yung has confirmed he has been hired for Cheung Kong's boutique hotel project, but stressed his participation was to ensure better protection for the surviving trees.

Of the 192 trees on the original Tsim Sha Tsui site, Cheung Kong felled more than 140. Only about 24 remain; 19 have been transplanted elsewhere. Most of the survivors are Banyan trees.

The firm started cutting down trees in December to make way for a boutique hotel and retail complex.

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'The government approved Cheung Kong's proposal for cutting trees,' Professor Jim said. 'There wasn't anything I could do to stop it. I believe that by being a consultant, I can give the trees better protection.

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