Central has the most sick trees in the city, with clusters along busy roads and in parks, according to a list of inspected trees released by the government yesterday.
Critics questioned the usefulness of the list, as it fails to say which trees are in danger of collapsing or to disclose details of 800 trees. The government said these 800 had already undergone improvement measures.
The list details 1,154 trees inspected over the past few months, including 500 old and valuable trees, about 400 growing on stone walls and 252 in areas with high traffic and pedestrian flow. It includes their location, species, condition, the government department responsible for each, mitigation measures carried out, and photos of every one.
The list was drawn up by the Tree Management Office, established after a government review of tree management following the death of student Kitty Chong Chung-yin, who was crushed in Stanley in 2008 by a falling coral tree that was listed on the registry of old and valuable trees.
At least 28 old and valuable trees in Central were identified to have three or more problems, including decay, abnormal leaf colour, cavities, cracks, fungus, and signs of pest and disease. They are mostly located around the Central Government Offices, in Hong Kong Park and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and along Garden Road. The worst case is a pink and white shower tree in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, which has severe decay and is under close observation.
In Tsim Sha Tsui, three old and valuable Chinese banyans in Kowloon Park and along Park Lane have similar problems.