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Tree Lovers Day - Tree Survey Press Release
The Conservancy Association
30th October 2006

Recently, concern about tree conservation has become an issue in Hong Kong. Many people have tried to protect Wall Trees on Hong Kong Island that are being threatened because of development. It is definitely important to put our effort forward to protect such unique trees in Hong Kong.

The Conservancy Association has long been working on tree conservation. Now, in 2006, CA launched an exciting programme on tree conservation, called "Tree Lovers". Around 400 participants became "Tree Lovers" who can participate in a series of activities related to tree conservation, including seminars, field trips and a 4-month green spotting exercise held on Hong Kong Island. "Tree lovers" learned knowledge about trees and skills for identifying significant and threatened tree. Urgent cases of threatened trees will be reported to the relevant Government Department so that appropriate actions can be taken to save the tree. The most important aspect of this project, is to raise awareness on tree conservation and to develop hearts that appreciate trees and nature.

Today, the Conservancy Association launched the "Tree Lovers Day" in Chater Garden, Central. The achievements of this programme had delivered to the general public.

The tree survey was conducted from June to September this year. Up til now, 245 trees in Hong Kong Island were assessed. Preliminary findings shows that, trees in Hong Kong Island suffers 7 major health problem, such as Leaning (30%), Pest and disease (24%), Physical damage (14%), Pruning Wound (13%), Cavity (7%), Fungal fruiting bodies (5%), Dieback (5%) and other (4%).

Leaning

Pest and disease

Physical damage

Pruning Wound

Pruning Wound

Cavity

Fungal fruiting bodies

Fungal fruiting bodies

not enough space for root growth

The findings show that poor tree management has caused hundreds of trees dying in Hong Kong due to improper trimming, topping, negligence and poor gardening practice. Since Hong Kong has NO TREE ORDINANCE and suffers a shortage of qualified arborist, landowners and even government officials do not take good care of the trees in Hong Kong.

Once again, the survey indicates the major problems of tree conservation in Hong Kong, such as lack of tree protection legislation, no unique government unit to coordinate tree conservation, landowners’ negligence of tree conservation and lack of qualified arborists…etc. Under this circumstance, improper trimming, topping, not enough room for tree roots and cavity…etc, become common signals of the dying trees in Hong Kong.

As a Champion for tree conservation, The Conservancy Association urges the government to reconsider to introduce a Tree Ordinance to provide a framework of tree protection, to appoint a unique unit to coordinate for tree conservation and enhance the standard of arboriculture of local gardeners.