ISA HK/China --- CITA Training in Tree Work for Management Companies

Dear Station Members,

The HK Govt is once again showing positive support in developing proper tree care in our territory by arranging an Introductory Training for Tree Work for Management Companies at CITA as per the attached details. This is another effort in improving the local knowledge in handling urban trees after the Tree Work Supervision Course which is mandatory for the construction staff in accordance with ETWB TC 3/2006 & in conferring the status of Independent Tree Specialist & Competent Person for Arborists to take part in Govt landscape contracts & in LAO PN 7/2007. Who can say now that our Govt is not taking step to protect & preserve our trees?

The current landscape system in HK appears to weigh the major liability of the landscape construction to end at the Defects Liability Period (DLP) which would count usually in less than 24 months from the date of Practical Completion of the works. Most installed trees would not die during this short period of time, in considering the life span of most trees to last over a decade to show any Spiral of Decline. After DLP, the site is usually handed over to the management company for on-going maintenance, be it Govt or private. Over time, any inappropriate design, improper nursery stocks selection &/or incorrect installation will stress the in-situ trees further. Conflict between trees & construction may gradually surface. If further improper tree care is to be given to the suffered trees, the trees would go into further decline & may eventually fail. When tree fails, it can kill or cause major damage to properties below as shown by many examples in the past.

We need to remember that it is always Mother Nature makes the rules, not us. If a tree is improperly designed, selected, installed, maintained & inspected, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset.

Although Arborists do not usually get involved with tree design, selection & installation in our territory at present in accordance with the current landscape practice, we can still provide support in maintenance, inspection & risk management to the management company after DLP. ISA HK/China Arborists are required to maintain Integrity, Professionalism & Participation with an attitude of fact-finding & truth-telling. We can advise the management company on the best solution to take care of their existing trees, from proper maintenance, correct pruning to possible removal if no other alternative is deemed appropriate. Arborists can help our management companies to manage their trees indeed.

Management companies in HK are usually over-burdened with daily chores & they are rarely trained with tree care in any details. The CITA training now can provide them an insight to learn of the support of the local Arborists to help them to protect & preserve their trees. This will generate a better quality of living to the benefit of all at the end.

It would be a big help to the management companies if our Station Blog of http://isahkchina.blogspot.com can be given to them at the CITA training so that they would know where to find Arborists in HK as well as keeping in touch with our local tree affairs. ISA HK/China Station liaises the 84 Certified Arborists in our region & handles all ISA exams, training & other activities relating to proper tree care in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China. Our Station is the right place for them to approach.

It is our thanks to the HK Govt as well as to our Civil Servants (Arborists or not) for showing their positive support to take another step to protect & preserve our precious trees. ISA HK/China will work diligently with our Govt to develop proper tree care in our community for a better way of living, one tree at a time.

Our thanks & appreciation to the HKSAR Govt indeed.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager


Introductory Course on Tree Works for Management Staff of Contractors and Property Management Companies Organized by Construction Industry Training Authority

The Hong Kong Government is striving to uplift the quality of our living environment through active planting, proper maintenance and preservation of trees together with other vegetation.

To enhance the quality of our workforce and provide the construction industry with updated knowledge on tree works, a new introductory course will be launched by the Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA) and supported by the Development Bureau for the management staff of contractors, property management companies, etc in January 2008.

Course Content:

1. Roles and responsibilities of managers on tree issues
2. General arboricultural knowledge
3. Value of arborists and the way to find them
4. Application procedure for tree removal (felling or transplanting)
5. Tree preservation clause for lease control

Target Participants :

Management staff of contractors, property management companies, etc.

Class Schedule :

This is a two-hour lecture course. Class will be held on request. Class capacity is 25.

Venue :

Kowloon Bay Training Center, Construction Industry Training Authority
No. 44 Tai Yip Street,
Kowloon Bay, Kowloon

Tuition Fee :

HK$140 per participant

Medium of Instruction :

Cantonese

Certificate :

An Attendance Certificate will be given to each participant.

Admission :

Enrolment can be on individual or on company basis. Interested parties may contact CITA - Management Training and Trade Testing Centre at 2903 0633 or 2903 0304 (fax: 2814 1674)
Priority will be given to company registration. Individuals or staff of different companies may be grouped together to form a class.