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SCMP Reporter

A tree expert has dismissed official explanations of the deadly collapse of a century-old coral tree in Stanley last month as 'scientifically unreasonable', saying symptoms of decay were impossible to miss.
University of Hong Kong geography professor Jim Chi-yung  said the claim by Leisure and Cultural Services Department tree manager Cheung Yu-sang  that the weight of branches caused the collapse 'just doesn't make sense scientifically'.
'Trees have the biological ability to support and adjust to their own weight,' he said.
Professor Jim was speaking on a radio show about the accident in which Kitty Chong Chung-yin,  19, was killed when part of the 23-metre tree fell on her in Stanley Main Street on August 27.
He said hollows of decay found in the trunk of the killer tree should have been enough to warn department officials of its imminent collapse.
The department said it found the tree to be in 'acceptable' condition after a detailed examination on July 31, a month before one of its two main trunks collapsed.
'It is apparent from photos that the decaying process began decades ago,' Professor Jim said. 'It appears that the department has a limited understanding of trees.'
He said there were too few government positions for tree scientists and they were paid too little. He called for next month's policy address to put more emphasis on developing local forestry expertise.
Professor Jim also warned against government overreaction in felling old trees in the wake of last month's freak accident.
'I hope the government will assess the trees objectively and scientifically, and only cut them when the damage is irreversible,' he said, adding that many trees could be saved by administering more pesticide.
A spokesman for the LCSD said the department would not comment further on the Stanley tree as legal proceedings were taking place. The department said it would not remove trees unnecessarily. It had examinated more than 100 old trees since August 27 and removed only two.



Expert dismisses tree collapse explanation