ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Politician's Support on Arborist Profession and Lung Hang Hazard Tree)

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Dear Station Members,

Attached & below are two pieces of recent Tree News in HK:

1. Political Support on Arborist Development

A prominent politician in the Legislative Council has expressed out that both Singapore & Taiwan are already having Tree Laws to preserve & protect their trees. In her opinion, HK should follow suit. She has also given appreciation on the efforts of HK Arborists to develop this needed profession & would like to see the HKSAR Govt supporting it with positive action.

What's said by this prominent politician is cordially welcomed by ISA HK/China to accept the Arborist Profession as a social requirement rather than an amateur hobby group. Arborists are trained to look after trees from design, selection, installation, maintenance, regular inspection, risk assessment to protection, under the guidelines of international research & experience. No other landscape organization around the world at present is bigger or more historical than ISA to provide research, experience & education on trees. ISA Arborists are recognized experts in trees around the world & ISA has produced more Arborists than any other landscape organization so far.

Arboriculture is a scientific discipline. Arborists talk on research, experience & facts. We believe 'Mother Nature makes the Rules, not us' on trees. May the public understand us better not as a bunch of Tree Lovers, & would appreciate us to care for our trees professionally in our territory.

2. Lung Hang Hazard Tree

The following news was sent in for public notice by Tree Climbers Fung Kai (TCFK, http://hktcs.blogspot.com) where the Station Manager had taught the first group of Tree Climbers back in 2006 & 2007. Their teacher Mr. Thomas Chow has since then taken over & has carried on the ISA tradition of encouraging youngsters to learn tree climbing:

隆亨邨事件

四月四日早上九時，爬手與四位鳳溪攀樹隊隊員應浸會大學兩位傳理系二年級同學的邀請，到大圍隆亨邨評估一棵高約十多尺的山指甲，以確定它對行人將會造成潛在的危險。該樹種在一個以三合土築成的花槽內。花槽上空不見天日，實為一休憩間的三合土做成的頂。為了爭取陽光，該樹惟有向外發展，彎曲樹幹追向太陽。不知為甚麼原因，該樹的樹幹木質部份由地面計起，腐爛超過兩米。中心所有的木質部份差不多已經沒有了，只剩下一層樹皮輸送水分和養份到枝部和葉部。經過細心的檢查，還發現木質部份有一些蟲糞、真菌和螞蟻呢。

附近居民三年多前已向該邨的房委會辦事處投訴此事，但沒有結果。居民恐防該樹會倒下，故此利用一塊頗大的三會土磚支撐該樹的樹幹，並且為防有行人碰到該彎由樹幹，所以在附近商場取來一塊黃色的牌和一個紅色的膠袋掛在樹幹上，提醒來往的路人。當日所見，路上行人頗多，經過此樹時，每人也要避開樹幹，取彎路而行。

拍照不久，該邨有兩位工作人員查詢我們是否記者，並且著我們事前必須向該邨辦事處申請。兩位浸大同學說，這是他們功課的一部份。該兩位工作人員惟有在附近注視。其中一住在該處附近休憩的老伯，看見我們檢查該樹並且拍照，竟然很大聲的說要保留該樹，若有關機構把它移除，則先鋸去他的大腿云云。此事可見一般人對樹木缺乏認識，而政府在這方面的宣傳和教育還是不足，市民也不太注重樹木倒下時可能會造成人命和財物的損失。赤柱的倒樹事件正是一個慘痛的教訓呢！亡羊補牢，未為晚也。希望有關當局能珍惜人命，造福社祇，拿一份決心改善以前不足之處。

The incident has since then drawn the attention of relevant authority & this tree was said to undergo inspection for hazards accordingly.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."