ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Felling of the Maryknoll Araucaria?)

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Dear Station Members,

The media news received below by ISA HK/China this morning came at rather a surprise to the Station Manager.

The Araucaria tree at Maryknoll School is now being considered to be felled for public safety reason, after claimed drainage work nearby might have de-stabilized the roots of this tall & leaning tree.

Everyone in ISA HK/China knows that this tree was assessed by the Station Manager way back in Nov 2008, & the recommendation was 'felling' from the observations & data collected. The Station Manager did not have the luxury of deploying any Decay Detection Device (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/search?q=ISA+HK%2FChina+---+Decay+Detection+Devices+%28DDD%29) for the inspection, which he regarded as unnecessary anyway, with the apparent status of the tree at that time in relation with the growing location. All there were used was a mallet, keen observation & his knowledge & experience of 25+ years as a nurseryman, landscape contractor & Independent Practicing Arborist (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) combined, for a qualitative analysis.

This tree was then decided to be retained after further assessments by Govt Depts & other Tree Experts, with the help of advanced machines such as Tomograph & Resistograph. It also went through a 4-month Protection Period by a Govt-employed expert for its preservation at public expenditure. It is very sad now that it has become a potential subject of removal after a 'slipped through' drainage work to damage it, under the daily supervision of the School & watchful eyes of the Authorities.

The future of this tree will be known very soon. It will be regrettable if it has to be removed after all the time, funding & technical expertise to save it. On the other hand, it will be Mother Makes the Rules, if it is to be retained. The consequence can be very serious if this tree accidently fails to hit any target below. It will be a difficult decision to be made indeed.

Trees in HK have become a sensitive topic in the public arena, & may the future Tree Management Office take the helm & steer it in the right direction.

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."

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04/02/2010

瑪利諾70年鬼樹今定生死

【本報訊】九龍塘瑪利諾修院學校內有七十年樹齡的「鬼樹」南洋杉，其命運最快今日揭盅！校方昨承認，早前在校內進行的渠務工程令鬼樹受損，學校管理層今日會與發展局等商討，決定鬼樹去留。該校舊生質疑，鬼樹位於古蹟範圍內，工程展開前無理由未察覺施工範圍太接近而隨時傷害古樹。發展局回應指早已獲悉工程，但未能評論何以不察覺危機存在。

舊生反對處斬

瑪利諾修院學校小學部校監余黎青萍指，因校園老渠需要更新，上月中已展開渠務工程，未幾發現工程已延伸至鬼樹附近，即時叫停工程，並聘請專家再進行勘測，至昨午收到報告，確定鬼樹因工程影響而已受損，校方今再商討鬼樹去向。她強調與校方都重視鬼樹，但「任何舉動，以安全為重，不能以安全作為賭注」。

發展局與校方昨均未能回應，何以工程進行前，未察覺工程可能影響古樹。鬼樹樹齡達七十年，校方於去年中曾以安全理由，擬將此樹處斬，遭校友極力反對，其後發展局「認頭」，介入研究保育這棵位處古蹟範圍的古樹之法，風波始平息。

發展局當時承諾聘請顧問進行為期四個月的保育研究，但發展局發言人昨指，以鬼樹現時最新情況有變，當局會押後公布報告。