Warning that giant banyan tree was dangerous ignored
Officials were told supports for giant banyan were too weak but they failed to act, sources say
The collapse of a giant banyan tree in Hong Kong Park on Tuesday could perhaps have been avoided if the government had not ignored expert advice.
The 18-metre heritage tree, which was next to a greenhouse, luckily did not hit anyone but did crash through the roof.
"The tree supports were too weak, with two thin cables tied to two very weak trees. One of the supporting trees was eaten up by termites," said a source close to the Architectural Services Department, which managed the tree.
Sources close to the department and a member of the Tree Management Office's expert panel confirmed that both had found the tree was dangerous.
The panel member and a department consultant warned last December that the tree was a risk to the public but their advice was ignored.
The department yesterday declined to explain why no action was taken. But it said trees near the fallen one had been inspected and no problem detected.
A South China Morning Post check of the tree in April found a large hole covered in fungus at the base of the tree and it was leaning towards the path.