ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (How we would work with the media)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN) 。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The newspaper report below by the largest press in HK on the Tree Management Office (TMO) would be heart-breaking to us if similar comments are written on ISA HK/China. We also would have a lot to answer to ISA HQ & Station Members if such thing happens. Incidentally, ISA HK/China remains supportive to TMO & understands their hardship, although we are one of the very few organizations in the green industry openly to say this nowadays.

TMO & ISA HK/China appear to be like two race horses streaming ahead with similar goal, although our path hardly ever crosses so far. TMO would involve with upgrading Tree Management in a city, whereas ISA HK/China would need to develop ISA Arboriculture in any city in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China. The dimensions are totally different.

Since ISA HK/China has no financial support, no paid staff, hardly any logistics or with any authority to tell anybody, but with only the enthusiasm of our Station Members, we rely heavily on the media for promotion. The mobile phone of the Station Manager (SM) is open to the media from 8 am to 10 everyday. The press enjoy calling him after 7 pm usually, because they have to submit their report for printing before 3 am in the morning. Getting a call after 10 pm is frequent for the SM, & answering sensitive topics with a clear mind is always a challenge at that time.

ISA HK/China has made good friend with the media in our territory always. We have in average one interview from among the radios, TVs, newspapers or magazines every month, with more if any Tree Incident would occur. The media like taking to us because we speak frank & we are in the profession. Our SM & Deputy Station Mangers (DSM) all come with an Arborist background, & half of them are working for trees for a living. We are all careful to follow ISA Mission when we speak, & we answer any question that we are familiar with without pretence. If the media is not happy with just talking to us in an office setting, we would throw up a rope on the tree to dangle in mid-air to let them take breath-taking pictures. The media love the show. They would truly believe that we are the genuine professionals, & give us good marks in their writing.

The media also apprehend our IPA (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) class of membership, which is the only ISA credential in any Chapter that tests more than just multiple choice questions. The IPA credential demands legal knowledge ('O' Level Laws), communication ('A' Level English), international networking (ISA Conference) & practicing skills (10 m high Rigging). It also requires staying for a minimum of 3 years as Certified Arborist & Certified Tree Worker for professional experience. The media regard the IPA as a professional level for a Tree Practitioner. Therefore they sell it for us.

ISA HK/China has been winning the 'heart & mind' of the media in the past 5 years. We are seen as a Greenery Miracle in our territory with no resources given, but only the keen participation of a group of good men & women. The media want us to succeed for the good of our society.

In a democratic society, the media would influence the politicians, & the politicians would demand from the Govt. When we are comfortable with the media, we've got a friend on our side. This helps.

May we continue our course to develop ISA Arboriculture in our territory for the good of our society, one tree & one Arborist at a time.

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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樹木辦無建樹似廢柴

政府斥資近二千萬元新近成立樹木管理辦事處和綠化及園境辦事處，以避免再發生○八年赤柱古樹倒冧奪去美少女性命的慘劇重演。但原來樹木辦僅負責制訂巡查指引和整集資料等後援工作，最重要的前線巡查，竟沿用舊制，繼續由約十個相關部門各自為政，樹木辦最多只會作抽查，如發現問題，只會再向相關部門反映，不設任何罰則。有學者批評很多部門均有制訂相關指引「咁設個辦事處都冇乜意思」，浪費資源。

港府的樹木管理政策漏洞處處，曾多次發生冧樹傷人意外。

冧樹奪命慘劇發生後，全城圍插政府的樹木管理政策，加上死因庭的建議，政府去年發表報告建議在發展局轄下設樹木辦和綠化及園境辦事處，分別統籌樹木管理及綠化工作。這兩個新辦事處今年三月成立運作，昨首次交代工作進展，樹木辦的工作包括四方面，包括制訂樹木巡查、保養等指引，整集各部門遞交的樹木巡查資料、及建立樹木資料庫，也會成立培訓委員會，協助培訓及進行研究。

巡查人員質素參差

對於樹木辦只注重制訂各種指引和整理資料，不會兼顧巡查工作，發展局副秘書長丁葉燕薇解釋，辦事處主要協調各部門，「提供有系統方法，等佢哋做得更加好」，巡查工作仍由各部門各自執行，現時約有十個政府部門均須負責樹木巡查。

至於巡查人員曾遭批評質素參差，但樹木辦暫時也無意設資格試考核或設定培訓時數，更不會懲罰判斷錯誤的人員。樹木辦只會因應部門的巡查進行抽查個案，若發現有問題，也只會向相關部門反映。

港大地理系講座教授詹志勇批評樹木辦作用有限，成立是浪費資源。他說：「制訂指引……呢啲嘢好多部門本身做緊，咁設個辦事處都冇乜意思，仲要每年用二千萬。」長春社總監蘇國賢則認為，樹木辦的監察功能成疑，應該擴大。他稱，制訂指引只算是首個工作，「點樣令人執行啲指引，更為重要。樹木辦唔應該只做後援工作，若果係咁，資源用咗好多，但只係小進步。」他建議樹木辦亦應多落區巡查，不能單靠部門報告。

赤柱大街冧樹奪命意外，喚起港人對樹木安全的關注。

美少女莊頌賢被冧下的古樹壓死，全城嘩然。

每年嘥千九萬公帑

樹木辦及綠化辦共有三個首長級職位及廿名各級人員，部分管理人員已就任，但兩個主管職位仍進行招聘，獲聘者料下半年上任，兩個辦事處每年支出合共約一千九百萬元。

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ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Public Discontent on Tree Planting)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN)。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The Editorial of the largest newspaper in HK below describing the discontent of the Tree Exerts & Environmentalists on the Greening Issue may have been read by their 2 million-plus daily readers in our territory. This newspaper has also circulation in China today. English translation of the comments can be obtained from http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN. ISA HK/China takes a neutral stance on this as our usual Station Policy.

However, if an international inquiry is opened on this (please note the word "international") after all the millions of public money spent, the followings may be the focal points of the investigation:

1. Objectives --- What are the objectives of the exercise & have they been achieved at the end? Any international standards or references followed or compared?

2. Methodology --- What international guidelines are followed? Any comparison with other international cities of similar situation? Who made the final decision on what to follow & how to follow? Are the decisions justified? Any independent committee without Conflict of Interest to overlook the event & who are in it? Is it just a pretty packaging without solid contents? Does it work & justify to international standards?

3. Results --- Are the results following the Objectives & Methodology? If not, why not? Any independent committee to comment on it, & who are in it? Are the results comparable to international requirements & to what standards & guidelines? Any comparison with places of similar situation, like the older parts of Singapore, Shenzhen & Guangzhou? Are the results aiming for "Instant Effect" or long term sustention? Any justification to comply international requirements?

4. Recommendations --- What can be done for correction, if the results are not desirable under the circumstances given? Who should be held responsible (we are not talking about penalty here, but the cold facts)? Are we looking for an effective solution or just something cosmetic? Who should be invited in to lead the correction & how? Who should be the one explaining the outcome to the public, politicians & media, to win their support?

Greening in HK lately appears to invite more attack than praise, after all the good intention & financial input in it. The public do not seem to appreciate that they are getting the value for money. There must be a reason for it & it must be resolved for support. Lucky that ISA HK/China has never been involved in it officially for once.

May the Greening in HK not become as political as the other social issues in HK any further.

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."

探射燈：政府種錯樹 嘥錢害街坊

本港每年用於綠化開支逾二億元，過去五年，各政府部門合共種植了五千五百萬棵植物。市區雖林蔭處處，惟本報發現樹木錯種的情況卻比比皆是，其中重逾三噸的王棕種於馬路中線，粗壯的垂葉榕又被「困」於花盆，一旦巨樹塌下，隨時造成人命傷亡；而貴樹錯種的情況亦俯拾皆是，昂貴的龍柏被置於路中心成「吸塵機」，樹黑葉黃，枯死之期不遠。樹木專家及環保人士直指，本港雖成立「樹木辦」，卻欠缺保護樹木法例，部門頓成紙板公仔，在欠缺協調及規劃下，公帑只會繼續浪費，還「種下害人惡果」。

彌敦道中線花槽種植的龍柏價錢昂貴，卻長期受着車輛噴出廢氣及熱氣摧殘。

近年政府致力綠化，惟種樹不得其法，致出現「前人種樹，後人當災」情況。灣仔告士打道馬路中線的花槽種了三十五棵王棕，每棵有如三、四層樓高，且樹幹粗壯需兩人才能環抱，每棵重量估計約達三、四噸，若不幸倒塌，巨樹兩旁的繁忙馬路，隨時有車輛當災，後果堪憂。事實上，隨着近年多次颱風襲港，花槽內的王棕已「買少見少」，約一米闊、百餘米長的花槽原可種植十棵王棕，但部分花槽現時只剩下一、兩棵，花槽上更可看到塌樹後被連根拔起的「洞穴」。
榕樹困花盆 不勝負荷

類似的「危險樹木」，在市區觸目皆是，筲箕灣巴士總站南安街休憩處，是區內長者乘涼消閒的好去處，惟休憩處內種有數棵約兩、三層樓高的垂葉榕，每棵均被困於一個不足一平方米的花盆裏，有樹根更爆盆而出，一旦花盆不勝負荷，坐於樹蔭下的長者輕則頭破血流「中頭獎」，重則被壓死街頭。

灣仔軒尼詩道中線花槽所種的狐尾椰子，樹葉已呈枯黃。

除了傷人危樹處處外，亦不乏種錯樹浪費公帑的例子。當局去年於九龍彌敦道及灣仔駱克道馬路中線的花槽新植了一排龍柏，惟記者發現彌敦道一帶近巴士站的龍柏已被廢氣熏至漆黑，部分近根部的樹葉更呈枯黃，而襯托龍柏的綠蘿（俗稱萬年青）更變得焦黑。經常坐巴士路經上址的張太大替植物可惜，「啲龍柏好貴㗎，依家畀人擺喺路中心，日日咁多車經過，熏到黑麻麻，真係嘥錢！」
此外，當局去年亦花費逾九十萬元，在灣仔軒尼詩道中線的花槽新種有八十三棵狐尾椰子及其他植物，惟每棵狐尾椰子樹形瘦弱，大部分樹葉更出現枯萎，明顯已經呈現病態，令人擔心。

筲箕灣巴士總站的南安街休憩處種有多盆垂葉榕，樹蔭下常有不少長者乘涼。

告士打道中線花槽的王棕，部分被風吹倒，顯得疏落。


須制訂措施 加強培訓

發展局發言人表示，政府一直積極推廣綠化，透過多元化綠化方式，包括制訂及推行綠化總綱圖，在路旁、休憩用地行人天橋及斜坡進行綠化。發言人又稱，該局於去年六月肩負有關綠化、園景及樹木管理的整體政策責任，並於今年三月成立綠化、園景及樹木管理組，倡導在綠化、園景及樹木管理方面的策略性政策方向和推展措施，而綠化工程則由個別工程倡議部門推展。
發言人指出，在計劃種植樹木時，各種植部門會以「適地適樹」的原則選擇合適樹木品種，而負責綠化、園景設計及樹木護養的人員及園景師職系人員，均具備相關專業和經驗，部分人員亦具國際樹藝學會註冊樹藝師資歷。此外，綠化、園景及樹木管理組已成立培訓委員會，檢討負責綠化及樹木護養工作的各政府部門現行培訓策略，並制訂措施，加強培訓。

仇小姐：我覺得依家種樹都唔夠，好多地方都光禿禿，政府有時鍾意就呢度種一棵嗰度種一棵，真係幾嘥納稅人啲錢。

黃小姐：我住喺郊區，嗰度有好多樹，空氣會清新啲，但係喺市區，人多車多，空氣好混濁，應該種多啲花花草草去改善一吓。

ISA HK/China --- Should our Station push into China in a hurry?

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。(http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN )
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The Editorial Comment of a prominent local newspaper has practically spelled out why ISA HK/China is hesitating to expand into China right now. For those readers who do not understand Traditional Chinese, please kindly translate with a computer/internet software.

Two recent incidents have coerced the Station Manager (SM) to think twice in his push of ISA into China.

The first was a Tree Seminar organized by a local university where the SM was not given a chance to speak for ISA, but to let everybody else talk on trees. The SM had raised questions to the China tree expert speakers on how they would risk-assess their own Old & Valuable Trees. The answer was that they completely depended upon their imported Tomograph for a decision, rather than the arboricultural knowledge of the Assessors. They would ignore that Tomograph is not a non-destructive testing machine but with nails driven firmly into the living xylem of a tree, & they would never query how nails on the other side could pick up the minute acoustic energy like a metal a diaphragm. They also would not understand how ambient noises from traffic & road work might interfere with the readings. Experienced Arborists around the world are not sure how senile trees can heal repeated rounds of nailing with so many wounds on the tree body to fend off biological & structural damages. Apparently the China tree experts overlooked all these facts.

The second incident was at an academic luncheon meeting organized by a Flower Show to discuss the results of the presentations. Prominent provincial researchers & professors attended this gathering. In there, the conversation was focusing on overseas tours, political connection, personal relationship, & even women & drinks. Practically anything was discussed, except trees & greenery research. When the SM tried to bring up a subject on Tree Care, it was quickly tuned down as 'inappropriate & too serious' for such a 'friendly occasion'. The SM sat there to be bored for two hours to be fed with unhealthy food & rounds of 'bottoms up', & was wondering how sweet young girls were also allowed in to entertain the guests in an 'academic gathering'. It was truly very different from any international meeting of ISA that the SM was used to before.

With the academic influence of the China greenery professionals, Topping is now an acceptable practice all over China. Tree Wounds are sealed with magic chemicals of all kinds & they called it their 'local invention' over there. Drip Injection is thought to cure all illnesses in trees, & is commercially promoted by prominent universities. Academics there have also approached the SM to discuss the 'commercialization' of ISA credentials to be taught & tested by their 'Institutes'. Some of them argued that by conferring them first the ISA credentials without testing would help to speed up the development of ISA in China.

With all these in front of us, we begin to ponder the wisdom of diving in blindly into the Land of the Old Dragons in a hurry. This place may not be ready for us yet. ISA has a Mission to follow.

Then, would anyone think otherwise, & how?

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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百位校長出國遊 一流大學何時有

打造世界一流大學，從來是內地教育部門的頭等目標，當局為此投入了大量的財力與物力，但結果事與願違，希望頻頻落空，大量的教育經費被貪官中飽私囊，或被校長們遊山玩水揮霍一空。

據內地媒體報道，為在十年之內打造出世界一流大學，教育部日前推出百位校長赴歐美日等國培訓計劃，每期二十四天，培訓費、往返旅費和培訓期間的食宿交通等費用由國家專項經費全額支付。有網民質疑，在短短二十四天之內，這些校長出國培訓到底有何效果？該計劃與其說是出國培訓，還不如說是出國旅遊。

網民的質疑不無道理，最近幾年揭露的官員出國腐敗醜聞，每件都是冠冕堂皇地打着出國參觀訪問的旗號，但事實上都是遊山玩水，欣賞名勝。從安徽檢察系統歐洲考察團，到廣州海事法院非洲考察團，莫不如此。對官府的這些伎倆，老百姓早已司空見慣，恨之入骨。所以，今次教育部一組織百位校長出國培訓，網民便群起而攻之。

惟財是舉 獻媚官場

其實，中國大學與世界一流大學差距在哪裏，校長們不用出國培訓也心知肚明。相比哈佛、耶魯、牛津這些知名學府，中國大學在硬件設施上絲毫不差，無論是建築豪華程度，還是實驗室設備先進程度，中國大學都不算落後，有的甚至比他們更先進，但是在軟件上，特別是包容寬容的學術氣氛，兩者相差十萬八千里。

這些年來，中國大學完全喪失了象牙塔的清靜，一片烏煙瘴氣，亂七八糟，與其說是教書育人的淨地，還不如說是你爭我奪的商場。一些大學表面上是「惟才是舉」，實際上是「惟財是舉」。辦大學等同辦公司，莘莘學子成為搖錢樹，或者校方敲詐勒索家長的人質。大學校園內充斥各種EMBA培訓班、富二代培訓班，校長書記忙於圈地舉債，忙着開公司辦企業，根本無心治學。在這樣的體制下，怎能建設出世界一流大學？

最嚴重的是，中國大學講究論資排輩，不是以學術高低論英雄，而是以官階高低論尊卑。大學之間爭的不是學術成果，而是教育經費和行政級別。在畸形體制下，行政指揮學術，學術獻媚官場，表面上科學論文產量排名世界第一，每年博士畢業數量也是世界第一，但這些論文大多是抄來抄去，就連校長們也淪為抄襲高手，教授、博士更是浪得虛名。許多在海外職業生涯輝煌一時的一流科學家被吸引回國後，卻發現自己陷入地盤爭奪、文人相輕和裙帶關係的泥潭。

中國大學的這些頑疾，校長們不用出國也都知道，但誰又敢碰這些問題呢？世界一流大學不是靠吹出來的，更不是用錢堆出來的。所以，與其花費巨資讓校長出國瀟灑遊，還不如將這些資源撥給西部農村的學校，加固校舍，避免豆腐渣工程對下一代的殘害。

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Paterson Street Tree Decline)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。(http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN)
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The recently sent in HK Tree News included the apparent Tree Decline in Paterson Street in Causeway Bay, in which the Elaeocarpus trees were said to be excessively pruned with part of the root system covered by hoardings. Any Arborist would know this as no good to the trees.

Tree Abuse happened for centuries around the world everywhere, but particularly prominent in under-developed places where trees are regarded lower than slaves. Simple causes include trees are pruned for convenience, & are damaged by lack of respect. This attitude may stem from misunderstanding of the Benefits of Trees to the human society. Sometimes, trees are planted for 'flowering & scent' only. When they don't out of scientific necessities (vegetative phase to reproductive phase), they become neglected. Also when the wrong trees are planted in the wrong places, decline would naturally happen.

ISA HK/China would like to think to stop Tree Abuse form happening, applying the correct education to win heart & mind is more important to frighten the conspirators with threats & penalties. With all the contract requirements & regulations to fine & disgrace the accused in our territory, does Tree Abuse disappear? The answer is apparent enough by looking around.

Then what would be a probable solution to prohibit Tree Mal-practice at large in our territory? A simple way to go about this is to ask every Tree Work over a certain sized tree to be supervised & signed off by a Certified Arborist (CA). If this CA dares to go against international practices, he/she can be complained to ISA Ethics Committee which may re-direct the case to ISA HK/China for investigation. And all CA's in our territory know that the IPA's (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) in ISA HK/China are powerful Testifying Witness to go to Court for justice. This may make the wrong-doers think twice before they dive in blindly for money.

While ISA HK/China looks upon it as our duty to share proper education in Tree Care in our territory, we have never been approached by developers or management association to talk on trees. Most of them know our existence but would not come to us. Over time, this attitude may change as trees are increasingly weighed for in our society, & who can deliver better arboricultural education than ISA right now?

ISA has made some progress in tree education in our territory, & we shall continue to share our knowledge to improve the quality of living with better trees.

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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百德新街9樹慘遭斬頂

【明報專訊】政府於2007年高調宣布於銅鑼灣百德新街行人專用區，引入新樹種尖葉杜英，綠化周圍環境；至今不足3年，長春社發現，9棵尖葉杜英遭過度修剪，樹冠餘下不足一半，加上旁邊恆隆中心進行工程，圍板邊緣壓覑泥土，阻礙樹根呼吸。長春社總監蘇國賢批評，「就算種下合適樹種，若缺乏管理及保養，樹木最後仍難逃一死，不符持續發展原則」。

工程圍板壓泥 阻樹根呼吸

康文署發言人表示，恒隆中心事先未知會康文署，該中心工程會影響百德新街的樹木，該署會向恒隆中心發出警告信，並保留追究責任的權利。恒隆發言人強調，恒隆中心外牆更新工程「嚴格遵守屋宇署的相關條例，並已取得正式批文」；又指屋宇署有派員視察，正式批核工程。

路政署07引入圖綠化

路政署於07年10月引入新樹木品種，綠化行人路、天橋及隔音屏障，當中包括在百德新街行人專用區種植9棵尖葉杜英。該署當時表示，過去綠化市區的樹木如細葉榕，根部發達，佔地較廣，對空間有限的市區不太合適，因此引入新樹種。當時路政署的園境師說，「尖葉杜英的型態如高聳的尖塔，開花時有如懸掛了層層白色的流蘇」。

不過，長春社發現，9棵高聳的尖塔最近遭大幅修剪，「有如被斬頭」，部分樹冠餘下不足一半；旁邊的恒隆中心裝修圍板壓覑泥土，阻礙樹根呼吸。蘇國賢指事件反映政府植樹「虎頭蛇尾」，又指「如管理得當，毋須每隔數年更換新樹」。

康文署表示，一向有定期檢查及保養百德新街的尖葉杜英，而去年初發現其中4棵樹木健康未如理想，經盡力護理後亦未有起色。為顧及公眾安全，該署已於去年10月中旬移除已凋萎的樹木，並補種4棵新的尖葉杜英。

該署又聯絡恒隆中心及工程承建商，於上周五實地視察，發現有圍板壓覑4棵尖葉杜英的樹窩，樹冠亦受壓迫，恒隆中心應該署要求移走圍板。該署指會盡力修復及保育該批尖葉杜英。

ISA HK/China --- GCSE Laws and 'A' Level English Language by Distant Learning

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。(http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN)
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://www.blogger.com/ , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

Since the success of the IPA in Court for the Tree Failure case in April, ISA HK/China has been receiving a number of enquiries on how to study 'O' Level Laws & A 'Level' English Language to become an IPA (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) in our territory.

On the other hand, please kindly note that 'O' Level Laws has now been replaced by GCSE Laws, which is regarded as an elementary training in legal knowledge. GCSE can be regarded as equivalent to HKCE level in basic comparison.

As most of our Station Members are working people & might not have time to attend regular classes to learn these subjects, ISA HK/China has been researching on Distant Learning for these two topics. Here are what we have found:

For GCSE Laws:

1. http://www.icslearn.co.uk/gcse-A-level/gcse/gcse-law/

2. http://www.ool.co.uk/GCSE/GCSELaw.htm

For 'A' Level English Language:

1. http://www.icslearn.co.uk/gcse-A-level/a-level/a-level-english-language/

2. http://www.distance-learning-centre.co.uk/products/112/ENGLISH_A2_LEVEL_COURSE.htm

Please note that ISA HK/China has no commercial interest to provide this information & anyone joining is entirely at his/her own risks.

Whether to become an IPA or not, we regard to take up the above training for individual development is important for our Practicing Arborists. Imagine an Arborist who can not communicate effectively or understand the legal complication of his/her work in law. Would this Arborist go very far in the Arborist Profession?

The Arborist Profession is full of minefields & every Arborist Report can be challenged in Court. The Court case in April has made an excellent example that the IPA could reveal the inadequacies of the other side to completely overrun him with communication skills & laws. Our profession is full of scientific knowledge, presentation & legal principles that any deviation will be nailed.

ISA HK/China is now designing a set of credentials to suit our Arborists who do not climb trees. Tree Climbing & Tree Work are not all there is in the Arborist Profession. They are only part of it. We shall make room for all those who are equally capable & contributing to acknowledge their knowledge & experience, although they do not climb trees for one reason or another. Their talents & abilities should not be overlooked. We expect to release our work by end of this year.

ISA HK/China will proceed with our own course to build the Arborist Profession in our territory to suit our needs with our culture & conditions, under the ISA Mission anytime.

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."

ISA HK/China --- Incoming Mail (CTRA Program in HK)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件(http://translate.google.com/#)阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear xxx,

Thank you for your message. I hope you do not mind us sharing your message on Station Mail since our reply would be of interest to our 1,300+ Station Members.

There was indeed a ISA Pacific North West (PNW) Chapter Certified Tree Risk Assessor (CTRA) program running in HK in mid-April 2010. ISA HK/China was well informed beforehand by ISA HQ of the event but did not participate, because we were not invited by the commercial organization running it. After all, the CTRA credential belongs to PNW Chapter only & not that of ISA. It is an ISA policy for Chapters to be independent in administration & credentials from one another. An example is our IPA (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) class of membership.

Upon informed by ISA HQ of the above program, ISA HK/China had spent several days reviewing the CTRA Training Manual. We were also told by ISA HQ that this program may become an ISA international credential to qualify Tree Assessors some time next year. For this reason, we felt it important to review first hand to prepare our territory for it in advance.

After review, we have identified many areas that might require further clarifications by international experts in both writing skills & technicality. It also appeared that the Training Manual was the product of just one person without the usual "Peers Review" process of ISA publication. There are disputable notations like the definition of "Included Bark" with "Axiom of Uniform Stress" but not the universally acceptable fiber splitting; & the claim that ANSI suggests that dead branch over 2.5 inches should be cleaned out in canopy, which does not appear to exist. We have also noticed that the end product of the CTRA program is a quantitative analysis of scenario points which are subjective but without as much details measured as in the 1994 Risk Evaluation Method of Matheny & Clark.

The trainer of this program Mr. Flanagan visited ISA HK/China on Apr 17 to spend two hours with the Station Manager to discuss some of our queries we had in the Manual. At the end, Mr. Flanagan invited the Station Manager to be part of the reviewing team for the CTRA to become an ISA international credential. The invitation was politely turned down, because there are many more international experts like Dr.Thomas Smiley & Nelda Matheny in the reviewing committee. The Station Manager does not regard himself to pair adequately with these international experts on their level of knowledge & expertise. However, he has agreed to review the final product if he receives the invitation in future.

When the CTRA program goes international to become an ISA credential (not Chapter credential) perhaps next summer, ISA HK/China will positively advise our Station Members to participate. It is likely that we shall run the preliminary part of the training in our territory & then invite in international experts to complete the final process.

All these will be announced in ISA HK/China weekly Station Mail in due course.

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."

----- Original Message -----
From: xxx
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: xxxday, April xx, 2010 x:x3 PM
Subject: tree risk programme training by ISA

Hi Station Manager:

My friend told me there is tree risk programme training by overseas ISA person here. When? How do I apply, any information from you?

Cheers.

Regards,

xxx

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (14.4.10 report on Arborist Profession)

Dear Station Members,

Below is a recent report on Ming Pao Daily on the Arborist Profession in our territory. ISA HK/China is very grateful to Ming Pao for their continuous support of us in their publication. We think this is good for the HK public too.

Please kindly note the credential ascension in our territory. We encourage our Arborists to set their goal towards the IPA(獨立執業樹藝師) so that they can practice comfortably as a respected professional with all round abilities. IPA compliments ISA credentials with participation into ISA international activities & other functional abilities. It is regarded as a threshold for practicing in our territory.

ISA HK/China will continue to upgrade our profession to compare with the world.

Best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

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職業搜查﹕樹木醫生救樹護民

樹藝師工作包括修剪及移除樹幹或樹木，圖中逾7噸重的大樹，便由獨立執業樹藝師歐永森與一名攀樹師合力，於6小時內移除。


滿車都是攀樹的「基本」裝備，安全腰帶連鋸、安全帽自是必備，不同負重的繩索、重達數公斤的扣等，都是樹上工作必需品，部分由攀樹師自攜上樹，其餘則用繩索吊到樹上。

最長可伸至7米的鋸，可鋸斷不能觸及的部分。

【專訊】樹木近年多次成為新聞主角，塌樹砍樹，都牽動港人的神經。樹木遍佈城市每個角落，有專家形容，樹木是「你唔理佢，佢唔理你；再唔理佢，畀面色你睇；再唔理佢，死畀你睇」。適當的樹木護理，除為了綠化和集體回憶，也是要保障人的生命財產，樹藝師正以此為己任。

國際樹木學會（ISA）中國地區分會會長、獨立執業樹藝師 歐永森笑言，「樹藝師」的名稱並不準確，因為其工作無關藝術，不在乎樹木外觀，而是純科學的樹木醫生、偵探。

樹藝師：工作純科學 無關藝術

收到驗樹要求，樹藝師會「出診」，從結構（樹幹、橫枝、樹根等）、健康（有否落葉、蟲害、爆皮、根部發臭等），及風險（一旦倒塌會造成的後果）等，作評估及建議。一般是建議修剪，若屬高風險且沒有補救辦法，便可能須移除。如瑪利諾修院學校的「鬼樹」南洋杉，傾斜向窩打老道天橋，塌下後果嚴重，兩邊分別是馬路及古蹟，不能做支撐，便屬於高風險。歐永森強調，樹藝師的工作不涉及感情，必須客觀評估並如實講出情。

工作涵蓋修樹監督應訊寫報告

除了評估樹木，樹藝師亦因應不同的牌照類別，需要作地盤監督、樹木設計、修剪或鋸樹，乃至為涉及樹木的官司撰寫報告及出庭應訊。工作除了具樹木知識，亦需要撰寫報告（主要為英文）技巧及法律知識（見另稿），更要就鑑證、化驗等與其他專家合作。

ISA建議樹藝師的日薪為6000 元，而上樹工作的攀樹師為2000元，收入似乎不錯，歐永森表示，自樹木護理受關注後，的確多了查詢。他強調，樹藝師雖不愁出路，但不能「大富大貴」，攀樹工作亦不輕鬆，體能要求很高，所以要加入這個另類行業，學歷是其次，最重要是對樹木的興趣，視之為終生職業，並願意終生學習，不斷進修樹木、法律、鑑證等知識。坊間機構近年開辦不少樹藝師課程，他提醒，部分課程的導師本身沒有樹藝師資格，報名時要留意。

■國際樹木學會

全球會員2萬

國際樹木學會於1924年成立，分會遍佈50國家，全球有逾2.2萬名樹藝師及研究人員會員；中國地區分會包括香港、澳門、台灣及中國大陸。現時本港的各類樹藝師註冊資格，均由ISA中國分會考核。

樹藝師三大牌照類別

【專訊】本港的樹藝師資格共分3種，從加入樹木護理行業，到擁有目前最高的 獨立執業樹藝師資格, 需要最少6年，且無論考取任何資格，ISA都建議每年到外地深造﹕

1. 註冊樹藝師（Certified Arborist）

．資格如「急救證書」，只屬入門，對樹木的知識不算很多

．需要3年全職相關工作經驗、通過包括200題選擇題的考試

．屬文職人員，工作包括基本地盤監督、樹木設計等，全港現有逾250人

2. 註冊攀樹師（Certified Tree Worker）

．需要一年半攀爬經驗（主要參加訓練課程），並通過包括50題選擇題及半小時攀爬的考試

．一般與樹藝師合作，執行後者的指示，攀樹師體能要求很高，本港目前僅得22人

3. 獨立執業樹藝師（Independent Practicing Arborist, IPA）

．擁有註冊樹藝師及註冊攀樹師資格最少3年

．參加一次ISA國際年會的5日活動，並參與攀樹

．英國會考法律科（或擁有本地法律文憑），及香港或英國高級程度會考英文科及格（或同等資歷）

．在10米高樹上，鋸斷指定樹幹並以繩索斜線放到地面

．工作包括樹木的評估、檢查、整修、設計，就涉及樹木的官司撰寫調查報告、出庭應訊等，本港目前只有3人擁有此資格

上述工作範疇屬ISA建議，香港沒有明文規定，樹藝師的實質工作由僱主決定，但近期政府部門招標，標書更規定投標者須就樹木護理聘用有樹藝經驗人才或樹藝師。


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISA HK/China --- Arboriculture and the Laws (Episode 2)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

It has been 4 years since ISA HK/China would dare to touch on this complicated topic again --- Arboriculture & the Laws.

In the past 4 years, ISA HK/China mainly through the work of the Station Manager (SM) has seen Arborists getting involved with legal issues in Tree Dispute more than any other greenery profession in our territory. However, we are infant if compared to places like North America, where Tree Dispute is almost a daily issue in Arbitration & Court somewhere. Some lawyers have even turned into Arborists (or vice versa?) to take a share in this big apple pie. Well known experts like Dr. D Yniguez who possesses a Doctorate Degree in Law, & Mr. L Bloch who wrote "Tree Law Cases in the USA" for ISA, are active Arboricultural Consultants. The SM had the honour to be coached by Dr. Yniguez during his North American training in Feb 2010, & has learned how sharp the teeth an Attorney can be in Tree Dispute.

The Arborist Profession in North America frequently goes to Court. It may be for the Negligence of somebody in tree design, installation, maintenance, inspection, risk assessment or construction protection, or an Arborist is employed to advocate or testify in court for Tree Failure. Over there, anybody can sue somebody for practically anything. A pad on the shoulder can be interpreted as an Assault, & the Court may grant Damages in the value of USD 1 for no significant harm done. However, for a failed tree to hit a power line to induce blackout for days, the claim may be in the millions. It will be even worst if injury or fatality happens, especially to youngsters. Flower & fruit dropping of a Boundary Tree onto neighbour's property may invite Nuisance. Roots uplifting pavement to trip somebody may lead to civil claim. Trees growing too big to block a view may bring mandatory pruning to be contested by the activists. The list just goes on & on.

A frequent position for an Arborist to appear in Court is to act as an Expert Witness. As an Expert Witness, the Arborist must possess extensive knowledge & experience in Arboricultural Practices, Technical Writing Skills, Oratory & Litigation Competence. Not every Arborist would like to work as an Expert Witness, because he will be cross-examined by the opposing Attorney who is specially trained to churn facts into his favour. "Nail the Liar" is the legal training with CEU for Attorneys in North America, & it is a popular program. The SM has noticed that most of the Arborists serving as Expert Witness in North America are 50+ in age & have at least 20 years in the greenery industry. Some of the better ones do not even come from a greenery background like the "Blue Blood" concept commonly practiced in our British system in HK. Yet who can beat them in Court ?

What would usually determine an Arborist win or lose in Court is his Expert Witness Report. In North America, it is regarded as a form of Technical Writing & is best written in Plain English. This means skip the jargons & say it clear & simple to the laymen, because most Court Judges are unfamiliar with our technical terms. This is the reason why Court Arborists are devoting themselves to learn this difficult technique to present themselves with brevity, clarity & fluidity. It is easy to pad sentences with repetition & irrelevance in the name of "professional", but not so the other way round. It is much harder to write concisely, precisely & clearly with a scientific language, as opposed to verbosity, vagueness & clutter. This practice appears to be new in our territory, at least in the greenery industry.

Tree Dispute going to Court is uncommon in HK, because most people simply do not realize that it can be so. Most would think that Tree Failure is an Act of God. "Act of God" in ISA is defined as " An Act occasioned exclusively by violence of nature without the interference of any human agency" (Arboriculture & the Law, ISA, 1992).

In North America, most urban trees would receive care in one form or another by the municipality or the tree owner. If failed, it would not be accepted as an Act of God because care has been given, or should be given. It is generally accepted that only rural trees without a Duty of Care in them to fail in storm would be allowed into this category. Anyway, the Court Judge will make the decision, not anybody.

In the several Tree Dispute that the SM have handled so far in HK, only one involved Tree Failure. The rest belonged to nuisance, land ownership dispute with trees growing on it, illegal tree felling & improper tree design. As public awareness in Tree Planting is increasing in HK, more Court cases may follow from incompetence in tree design, installation, maintenance, inspection, assessment & protection, to a range of many others. Our local lawyers have already seen this as a source of additional income other than the popular Accident Claims. Cases are likely to spring up in future. A few lawyers have already contacted the SM for collaboration. Then why not?

ISA HK/China will conduct seminars in Legal Consultation in Arboriculture later on to benefit our Station Members. On the other hand, we would advise our local Arborists to first master basic skills in legal knowledge & communication to that of an IPA (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html), before coming to the sessions. The IPA credential has laid out the minimum basics for an Arborist to practice in the legal arena, & the SM requires himself to be miles ahead of these to work as an Expert Witness. Without basic knowledge, the Arborist in Court will find himself a fool standing in front of everybody, & is likely to be carved into pieces by the opposite party. Credentials alone would not help.

There will be a Court session on a Tree Failure case in a HK Court on April 27 & 28, 2010 to be attended by the SM. He is representing a demanding client who vowed never to lose with positive vengeance towards the other side. The session will be the Examination-in chief, & the SM will be firing questions to the opposite Arborist during the Cross Examination. He will follow a standard protocol learned from North America to lead the opposite side to a losing end. It will be exciting to watch this educational session, to see the rare skills of an IPA in Court.

On the other hand, Courts in HK are too small to house too many, & the case is not the only one in session on Apr 27. In view of this, no more than 10 places can be allowed for our Station Members to join on a first come first served basis. ISA HK/China has to apologize for this indeed.

Would all those who wish to attend this Court session please send in your confirmation immediately to the SM by e-mail ? Those who do not hear a reply by 5 pm of Wednesday Apr 14, 2010, can assume that all places are already booked. Please do not call or e-mail in afterwards for intimacy. No favouritism is practiced in ISA HK/China.

Looking forward to have the Laws to advance proper Arboriculture in our territory, one tree & one Arborist at a time .

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."

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Homantin Tree Toppling and Wong Tai Sin Leaning Araucaria)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

Attached are two sets of news sent in by Station Members recently:

(A) Homantin Ficus Toppling

A 30 year old Ficus toppled around midnight on 30.3.10 to cause property damage in a Homantin housing estate. No one was hurt this time. The incident was blamed on the construction work nearby to cause root damage, which is yet to be verified.

From the photo shown in the newspaper cutting, very little anchoring roots can be seen torn up around the base of the tree after the failure. This may suggest that root development had been poor all the way for this tree to stand up against Wind Loading. The lack of extensive root anchorage could have been caused by the soil compaction of the pavings around. This is a common planting practice in our territory.

Tree does not commit suicide. As long as water uptake & photosynthesis can be maintained by the minimum amount of absorbing roots available, tree canopy will expand despite not growing much anchoring roots. Then the tree may become top-heavy to stand in wind. When the public are applauding to the greening effect, the tree may topple in wind.

It is hard to detect & predict how a tree would stand up against Wind Loading with the common Evaluation Methods. Most Strength Formulae focus on stem breakage, not root friction. Profound knowledge in Wind Mechanics & Tree Biology may be the key for making decision.

How a tree spreads it roots is always hard to tell. Some might say deploying Root Detecting Machines may give the answers. However, most of these machines are designed to map roots in a forest setting, i.e. natural soil without compaction, not paved areas. In urban setting where paving is the identity of a city, radio waves may have difficulties in penetrating through hard surface & compacted layers. Besides, the underground utilities may confuse the readings between roots & conduits. Most Root Detecting Machines can not detect roots smaller than 1/2 inch diameter either.

Sonic Tomographs may not help for root detection either. They are designed to detect trunk & branch decay to a limited accuracy. However, most Tree Failures recorded by ISA HK/China appeared to happen with the roots , not trunk or branch. Planting large tree in a small hole appears to be the culprit.

Experience & knowledge of an Arborist may be the key to judge such a situation. Again, even an experienced Arborist does not have a crystal ball to tell when a tree would fail in what condition of Wind Loading. It remains an educated guess.

Most trees in public area of HK appear to be growing in paved environment. More Tree Failure as a result of it may arise. On prevention, proper Tree Selection & proper Aftercare (including proper pruning) may be the key. Trees should be in the hand of Arborists to stay sound.

(B) Wong Tai Sin leaning Araucaria

If compared to the Maryknoll Ghost Pine, this Wong Tai Sin Araucaria is younger as shown in the photo, although more leaning.

A resident complained to the media that this tree is becoming a Time Bomb, & action should be taken by the tree owner immediately. The politician commented by putting Public Safety as a priority, but treatment should also be given without delay if the tree has any conservation value. From these words, no clear & positive protocols are given as to what to do with the tree.

A scenario may arrive at this. If the tree is retained but fails later, the tree owner would get the blame. If the tree is removed for this & that reason right now, the tree owner may be labeled a Tree Murderer.

Then what can the tree owner do to stay proper ??

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."

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Arborist joining the Maryknoll 'Ghost Tree' Memory Group

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China has noticed from the newspaper report sent in below that Arborists are joining the 'Hundred Year Tree' Group which appears to be involved with pursuing administrative liabilities of the Maryknoll Araucaria Felling, & tree preservation in schools in HK.

Please note that our Station Members will be joining any group in their own capacities & at their own risks. ISA HK/China will not get involved with politics in accordance with current ISA policies & practice. Station Members can not & will not represent ISA HK/China or ISA in any capacity without prior written approval.

Please note the ISA Mission of:

"Through research, technology, and education promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees."

ISA HK/China will faithfully follow ISA Mission to serve our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China without deviation.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

29/03/2010

瑪利諾「鬼樹」未被移除前是學校地標。

「鬼樹」枉死校友究責

本文重點

50萬公帑下落未明

設關注組正視問題

瑪利諾修院學校上月移除俗稱「鬼樹」的異葉南洋杉餘波未了。該校多名校友昨日出席「鬼樹」紀念會，堅持為死得冤枉的「鬼樹」討回公道，包括研究提出司法覆核，要求法庭徹查發展局及古物古蹟辦事處在事件中有否失職。校友及保育人士又宣布已獲得多位專業人士支持，成立新的保育樹木組織「百年樹木」，關注全港學校內樹木安全問題，希望阻止再有位於校內或私人土地上的珍貴古樹被無理傷害。

近廿名瑪利諾校友昨日在紀念會上觀看「鬼樹」生前片段及寫上心意卡，部分校友更為失去「老朋友」飲泣落淚。

50萬公帑下落未明

「百年樹木」會長朱茵強調，雖然「鬼樹」被砍已成事實，但仍有一連串問題待當局解答，包括當初批予保護「鬼樹」的五十萬元公帑何去何從、古蹟辦○八年將瑪利諾校舍列入法定古蹟時，有否登記校內樹木及其他受保護物件，以及有否明確通知校方在古蹟之內挖掘或砍伐樹木皆需申報等，「如果無嘅話就係古蹟辦失職」。她又指，由於古蹟辦不在申訴專員公署調查範圍內，故不排除透過司法覆核為「鬼樹」討回公道。

蘇國賢批評當局樹木保育工作混亂，經常發生好樹無故被砍，壞樹無人理會的情況。

朱茵表示「百年樹木」有意為學校提供免費樹木評估服務。

有參加「鬼樹」追思會的人士有悲慟之情。

設關注組正視問題

朱續稱，「百年樹木」關注組將協助全港學校正視校內樹木問題，避免再發生樹木枉死事件。該組織已獲得多位樹藝師、建築師及園景師等專業人士支持，若有學校對校內樹木安全或其成長狀況有疑慮又不懂處理，可為其提供免費評估。

長春社總監兼「百年樹木」顧問蘇國賢則批評當局巡查樹木工作馬虎，至今亦沒有建立塌樹意外資料庫，導致樹木保育工作混亂：「當局成日話全港幾百萬棵樹好難理，其實只要簡單搜集一下資料，就可以知道鳳凰木等幾種樹最易冧，縮窄巡查範圍。」

他又擔心當局規定只要出席十二小時課程就獲頒樹藝證書的做法，會導致前線樹木巡查員及外判工人質素參差，要求當局盡快立法監管。

發展局發言人回應指，已要求瑪利諾校方為今年一月在未有按要求通知古蹟辦下，進行渠務工程一事提供詳細資料，局方正研究該等新資料及適當跟進。

ISA HK/China --- Appointment of Deputy Station Manager no. 4 (Mike Leung)

Dear Station Members,

It is our pleasure to inform you that Mr. Mike Leung has just been appointed as Deputy Station Manager in our Station, to help us cope with our rapid expansion in our territory.

Mike is among the first lot of Station Members joining in during Dec 2005 when Station Membership was below 100 no. From then on, Mike was arranged by ISA HK/China to attend the Certified Arborist training program at the National Parks Board of Singapore in Dec 2006, & he passed with flying colour at 90+% in the exam. Mike has since then actively participated in ISA HK/China & TCHK activities, & he is also a trained Tree Climber.

Mike holds a BSc Degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong & is currently working as a Resident Field Officer in an Architectural Consultancy. Mike is young (late 20's), energetic & keen to learn. He along with other qualified ones, will be seen to become the leadership in succession in ISA HK/China over time.

Mike can be contacted at leung_mike@yahoo.com or +852-9712-8943. Anyone is welcomed to talk to Mike for any issue relating to ISA HK/China.

Looking forward to our Station Members' support for Mike in his work in ISA HK/China.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

ISA HK/China --- Incoming Mail (Any change in your English?)

Dear xxx,

I reply with pleasure for your sharp observation that Station Mail of ISA HK/China in the past few weeks have been written with a evolving style of English. This is because I myself have been obsessed with modern English writing which focuses on precision, clarity & simplicity ever since I was introduced to it a few months ago. I thought I was good for the past 35 years in my English language, until I met this group of Technical Writers in North America who had completely swept me off my feet to point out the many errors in my communication skills. I was reluctant to swallow my pride in the beginning; but as I learned gradually from them, I had to admit that I was behind.

Without disclosing what I have dangerously dived myself into at present, since I am still several months from graduation or may not graduate at all, I can only say that my British English is no longer following international trend. First of all, we must set aside any national pride ever conceived in this matter. I learned practically all my English from Cambridge scholars during my school days in Britain. I do not think I can ever shake that off no matter what new style which I am now trying to imitate. British English will always be the back bone on my communication & it is in my blood.

However, we have to be pragmatic to look at where the biggest population is speaking English nowadays. Without doubt it has to be North America, with their movies, TV's & other forms of media in their hundreds of millions to spread all over the world. And do not think American English is just full of buzzwords & slangs. Wrong! Their technical writing especially legal documents, are full of old time English, that I could not read without a dictionary on hand. Some good old British words which do not appear in England anymore are still used in America. Bravo to the Yanks for flying the British flags!

I learned this 'contemporary' English primarily for the sake of Report Writing & Presentation. Modern Report Writing requires clarity, readability, simplicity, precision & must be error free. Bad spelling, incorrect grammar, excessive wording with irrelevance & bureaucratic jargons will make the report unprofessional, unreadable & unusable. Then what's the point of having a useless piece of work right from the start?

Most of my reports today are not written for bureaucrats in formal language. In fact, bureaucratic language which may stumble you on every step is hated by so many, that their work is hardly transited unless forced. Complicated sentences with excessive gratification will tire the reader very soon. This is not a good strategy for pleasing my clients.

Before one is to learn effective Report Writing, one must first master the English language in every step. This is like knowing where all your jigsaws are before learning how to put the puzzle together. If your English basics are poor, you can never build it high up. As for myself, I have to learn from the very beginning the use of grammar (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs), sentence structure (simple, complex, tenses, conjunctions), paragraph length, style (colloquial, formal, bureaucratic, personal, legal) & tone (emphasis, exaggeration, emotion). I also have to learn word economy, acronyms, abbreviations, citations & page formatting. Then I have to put all these together in logical thinking, persuasion, simplicity & clarity. I can tell you that this is no easy task for someone who is used to writing formal, bureaucratic languages for 35 years. To write simple, precise & clear is actually much harder.

I can give you some examples:


"There appears to be indication that the product heretofore referred to may be lacking substantial qualitative consummation, suggesting it may be incommensurate with the standards previously established by this department" --- simply means "This product doesn't work with our departmental standards." Then which is an easier sentence to read & understand?

Another example:

"Just as a musician has to be a master of his or her instrument, a writer is at his or her best when he or she has mastered his or her linguistic tools." --- can be re-written as "Mastery of words is as important to a writer as mastery of an instrument is to a musician."

Then how about:

"Upon the arrival of this arborist to the site located at 12345 Repulse Bay, browning of the Ficus could be seen throughout the canopies of trees along the hillside for as far as the eye could see." --- can be re-written as "I arrived at 12345 Repulse Bay & saw extensive browning of the foliage of the Ficus trees in the canopies along the hillside."


It is interesting to discuss the use of language to sharpen it to favour our work. As English is the business & technical language in HK especially for Report Writing, I intend to learn it the latest way to help my own work for projects & Court presentation. This is in line with the forever-learning principle of a Practicing Arborist.

Thank you again for giving me this interesting conversation. I hope I have not got out of the way to reply you in unnecessary length.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager


----- Original Message -----
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 3:51 PM
Subject: Change in your writing style?
Dear Station Manager,

I am an English teacher and I have been following your 'Station Mail' for some time. I think it is well written and I use it in my classes for secondary school pupils for language learning.

Lately in the past few months, I have noticed that there seemed to be a change of style and tone in your messages. Long, complicated sentences seemed to be replaced by simple words.

For my academic interest, am I right in assuming that you are changing your writing style? I shall be pleased if you can enlighten me.

Thank you very much and keep up the good work!

Regards,

xxx

ISA HK/China --- Code of Ethics for Certified Arborist

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China is relaying a recent message from ISA HQ on the Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists below for your immediate attention. Please read through the message carefully.

ISA HQ is taking the Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists very seriously. This is to protect the credibility & image of ISA Arborists anywhere in the world.

If anyone has any report on misconduct on any ISA Certified Arborist, please use the Charge Form supplied by ISA below. This may include incompetence in work, violation of professional practice, falsification of pre-qualification requirement in applying Certified Arborist Exam, mis-use of ISA Logo & Trademarks, etc.? The judgment will be made by experts in ISA HQ, not that of ISA HK/China. Therefore, please do not send the complaints to us.

Please note any reporting must be supported with justifiable evidence for substantiation.

Thank you for your kind cooperation & understanding.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager


Certification News

ISA Certified Arborist's Code of Ethics policy…

ISA Certification has implemented an ISA Certified Arborist's Code of Ethics policy to serve as a central guide and reference for arborist’s in support of their day-to-day decision making. It is meant to define our organization's mission, values and principles, linking them with standards of professional conduct and industry standards. This document will be an important communication tool to help sustain consistency around the world and create an even playing field for all Certified Arborists.

The Code of Ethics policy is being sent to all current ISA Certified Arborist to sign and will become part of the application process for all new incoming applicants. We anticipate that implementing this policy will help to reduce poor professional conduct and practices. ISA Certified Arborists will be held accountable for their actions and in turn improve their business relations within their community and amongst their peers. This Code of Ethics will offer an invaluable opportunity for ISA to continue building a positive industry image which will increase confidence and trust in our certification program.

For more details please see the documents below:

Ethics Case Procedures
Click here for the Ethics Charge Statement
Click here for the Certified Arborist Agreement

Continuously improving our profession!

ISA takes the Code of Ethics very seriously and an Ethics Review Committee (ERC) will investigate unethical behavior that is brought to our attention. We ask that you please review the ‘Code of Ethics’ prior to completing an Ethics Charge Statement and fully document reasonable grounds for a violation. The more information you can supply the better we can determine the severity of the matter. Please note that your complaint is confidential but your name and information will be shared with the individual being reported.


ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST CODE OF ETHICS

The International Society of Arboriculture, Inc. (ISA) is a voluntary, non-profit, professionalassociation. The ISA Certification Program certifies qualified practitioners in the field ofarboriculture, who have met the professional knowledge standards established by the ISACertification Board.

Regardless of any other professional affiliation, this ISA Certified Arborist Code of Ethicsapplies to those individuals seeking ISA Certified Arborist certification (candidates), and allindividuals certified by the ISA as Certified Arborists (certificants).

The Certified Arborist Codeof Ethics establishes appropriate and enforceable professional conduct standards, and explainsthe minimal ethical behavior requirements for Certified Arborist certificants and candidates. TheCertified Arborist Code of Ethics also serves as a professional resource for arborists, as well asfor those served by Certified Arborist certificants and candidates, with respect to such standardsand requirements.

I. Responsibilities to ISA, the profession and the public.

A. Certified Arborist compliance with all organizational rules, policies and legalrequirements. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and ethical standardsgoverning professional practice of arboriculture.
2. Comply with all accepted professional standards related to arboriculturepractice, including national practice standards and policies.
3. Provide accurate, complete, and truthful representations concerning allcertification and recertification information.
4. Maintain the security of ISA examination information and materials, includingthe prevention of unauthorized disclosures of test information.
5. Cooperate with ISA concerning ethics matters and the collection ofinformation related to an ethics matter.
6. Report apparent violations of the Code of Ethics by a certificant or candidateupon a reasonable and clear factual basis.
7. Refrain from behavior or conduct that is clearly in violation of professional,ethical, or legal standards.

II. Responsibilities to clients, employers, employees, and the public.

A. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning the performance of professionalservices. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Deliver safe and competent services with objective and independentprofessional judgment in decision-making.
2. Recognize the limitations of their professional ability and provide servicesonly when qualified. The certificant/candidate is responsible for determiningthe limits of his/her own professional abilities based on qualifications,education, knowledge, skills, practice experience, and other relevantconsiderations.
3. Make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate professional referrals whenunable to provide competent professional assistance.
4. Maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained inthe course of professional activities unless: the information is reasonablyunderstood to pertain to unlawful activity; a court or governmental agencylawfully directs the release of the information; the client or the employerexpressly authorizes the release of specific information; or, the failure torelease such information would likely result in death or serious physical harmto employees and/or the public.
5. Properly use professional credentials, and provide truthful and accuraterepresentations concerning education, experience, competency and theperformance of services.
6. Provide truthful and accurate representations to the public in advertising,public statements, and other representations, and in the preparation ofestimates concerning costs, services and expected results.
7. Recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of others and act in anaccurate, complete, and truthful manner, including activities related toprofessional work and research.

B. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning conflicts of interest and appearancesof impropriety. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Disclose to clients or employers significant circumstances that could beconstrued as a potential or real conflict of interest or an appearance ofimpropriety.
2. Avoid conduct that could cause a conflict of interest with a client, employer,employee, or the public.
3. Assure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of aclient, employer, employee, or the public and does not influence or interferewith professional judgments.
4. Refrain from offering or accepting significant payments, gifts or other formsof compensation or benefits in order to secure work or that are intended toinfluence professional judgment.

C. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning public health and safety. Certificantsand candidates must:

1. Follow appropriate health and safety procedures, in the course of performingprofessional activities, to protect clients, employers, employees, and thepublic from conditions where injury and/or other harm are reasonablyforeseeable.
2. Inform appropriate government representatives or agencies when aware of anactivity or circumstance that may cause an unsafe condition or violate legalrequirements.

ISA HK/China --- Recruitment Notice for Head of TMO in HKSAR Govt

Dear Station Members & Public,

This message is broadcast locally to our 1,300+ membership, internationally to our hundreds of contacts in 20+ countries & to our business associates in HK, Macau, Taiwan & China.

Please kindly refer to the Recruitment Notice of the HKSAR Govt stated below with further information to be obtained at the relevant links. The contents are self-explanatory in both Chinese & English.

ISA HK/China do not wish to emphasis any further the importance of the post of the Head of the Tree Management Office (TMO) would have in the development of Tree Affairs in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China. HK is now taking the lead in the Urban Tree Management in the Far East, & the performance of the TMO will have a heavy impact of Tree Care in our territory. If the TMO can be a success, Tree Care in our territory will advance. If not, ISA HK/China may be coming back to square one.

The emergence of the Arborist Profession in our territory has tipped the balance of the Tree Care concept in a rapid manner since 2005. Tree Management is now valued to be an independent discipline & is required to be manned by appropriate professionals. Therefore, the person leading the TMO must be competent, hard working & skillful enough to handle the complexity of the situations in an expectedly successful manner. His/her failure would indirectly impact the development of ISA in our territory. Therefore, ISA HK/China will need to see the future TMO to be a success, & shall provide any assistance within our disposal in our international network, be it technical, administrative or managerial, to help the TMO to win.

Such are the expectations of the TMO in our eye, & we prefer to see the right person to man the post. Failure is not an option, & we would like not to see any compromise.

ISA HK/China are ready to work with the future TMO to lead the Tree Care Industry to new heights in our territory anytime from now.

best regards,

Sammy Au
ISA HK/China Station Manager
ISA Chief Proctor in the HK & China Region
Independent Practicing Arborist (IPA) no. HK-0174AT


----- Original Message -----
From: vina_wong@devb.gov.hk
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 7:05 PM
Subject: Recruitment of Head of GLTMS and Head of TMO Posts

Dear Hong Kong/China Station of International Society of Arboriculture,

The Task Force on Tree Management, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, published its report (Report on the Task Force on Tree Management - People, Trees, Harmony) on 29 June 2009 after a three-month review on improving tree management in Hong Kong. The Task Force Report recommended, inter alia, that DEVB should take up the overall policy responsibility of greening, landscape and tree management, and recommended that a new Greening, Landscape and Tree Management ("GLTM") Section (underpinned by a new Greening and Landscape Office ("GLO") and a new Tree Management Office ("TMO")) should be set up under Works Branch of the Development Bureau.

After obtaining the approval from the Legislative Council to create the new directorate posts for the setting up of the new GLTM Section on 22 January 2010 to implement the improvement measures, we are launching our recruitment exercise for the filling of 2 new directorate posts, namely Head of GLTM Section and Head of TMO, both on civil service agreement terms.

The job advertisements for the recruitment of the above 2 posts are published on Mingpao and South China Morning Post starting 26 February and 27 February 2010 respectively, on every Fridays and Saturdays until the closing date of the application on 29 March 2010. We also append the links to the government vacancies below for your information and easy reference.

Government Vacancies Enquiry System

Head of Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section

English: http://hkucsb.hku.hk:8080/advertsys/static/vacancyE_19398.html
Chinese: http://hkucsb.hku.hk:8080/advertsys/static/vacancyC_19398.html

Head of Tree Management Office

English: http://hkucsb.hku.hk:8080/advertsys/static/vacancyE_19399.html
Chinse: http://hkucsb.hku.hk:8080/advertsys/static/vacancyC_19399.html

We would appreciate very much if you would disseminate this email to your members for their information. Thank you for your attention and assistance in the matter.

Regards,
Vina WONG
Development Bureau
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISA HK/China --- Review of the Taipei Tree Regulations

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The message below sent in by a Station Member prompted ISA HK/China to probe into the so-called ' Taipei Tree Regulations" (TTR) which has been popular among those who are not happy with the current tree protection practice in HK. In our research for Tree Protection Regulations in Taiwan, this appears to be the only one publicly issued. We also wish to respond to the underlined comments of the author with information that we are aware of, to compare with our local issues. Please check out the contents of the TTR as per attached.

The Station Manager is the lecturer conducting HK Tree Regulations in the 'Supervision of Tree Works' at the Construction Industry Council Training Association (CICTA) since Nov 2006 to present, & has been reviewing various Tree Protection Specifications near our territory including the 'Parks & Trees Acts of Singapore (2005)' (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2009/03/isa-hkchina-study-on-parks-and-trees.html) for some time already.

The equivalent in HK for comparison with the TTR would be the ETWB Technical Circular no. 3/2006 'Tree Preservation' of 25.5.2006, which is very much in force for Tree Preservation & Protection in HK today. Major differences between these two Tree Protection Regulations appear to be as follows:


ETWB Technical Circular no. 3/2006
Taipei Tree Regulation (TTR) of 18.4.2003

Protect any tree of DBH over 0.095 m.
Protect trees of DBH over 0.8 m.

No requirement on age of tree for protection.
Protect tree of over 50 years of age.

Priority in tree protection would be first by retention; then transplantation; & lastly application for removal.
No clear indication on the priority of tree retention, transplantation & removal.

Police Force is not involved in enforcing site inspection for tree protection.
Police Force is empowered to get involved with site inspection for tree protection, when necessary.

No clear indication on Govt Depts providing direct technical support when requested by the applicants.
Govt Depts are authorized to provide technical support to applicants when it has become necessary.

No clear indication on any commemoration to be given to outstanding tree preservation work.
Written down to provide commemoration with awards to any outstanding tree preservation work.

No fixed penalty charges for tree preservation violation.
Clear penalty charges for tree preservation violation.

Can not protect private trees growing on private land.
No indication on private trees growing on private land are to be exempted.

Contains 45 paragraphs in 14 pages, & 3 appendices in 6 pages (English).
Contains 15 paragraphs in 4 pages (Chinese)


By comparing the ETWB 3/2006 & the TTR, it can be seen that in terms of details & general scope, the ETWB 3/2006 is superior in its structure & considerations for tree protection. While the author below moaned about HK has no laws to protect the local trees, maybe she is not aware of the existence of ETWB 3/2006 & a string of other 'Tree Regulations' already in force in HK for some time. To say that HK does not respect Mother Nature would truly require factual justification with evidence in reality.

On the other hand, ETWB 3/2006 is not flawless & ISA HK/China will recommend amendments in it, along with other Tree Regulations in HK, later when the Tree Management Office is in full swing. Technical Circulars are easier to amend than legal bills in general.

It may also be unfair to unilaterally praise the Taiwanese on their one single incident in tree protection work by the author below, without any reference to the continuous work of the HK Design Teams (Town Planners, Engineers, Architects & Landscape Designers) in their on-going efforts to protect & preserve the local trees in urban setting in HK. ISA HK/China is aware of roads bent & slopes cut less to preserve trees, frequently among the HK Design Teams to compare with the work of the mentioned Taiwanese Professor. Although we can not speak on behalf of any Govt Dept, it would be unfair that such merits would simply slip through unnoticed by anybody.

As the largest Arboricultural Organization in the Far East with 1,200+ Station Membership, ISA HK/China is responsible to provide fair & just comments to our Station Members & supporters.We would also advise others to do the same by learning & comparing, before informing the public to follow their own ideas.

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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08/02/2010

道路為老樹繞彎

在龍應台教授當局長年代的台北，一條規劃中的道路要穿過一位老太太的家門前，工務部門要砍掉她院子裏的老樟樹。婆婆捨不得陪伴她成長的老樹，寫信請龍局長幫忙。這位不一樣的局長願意承擔責任，統籌和邀請各工程部門共同勘察老樹，力勸大家考慮其他方案，不要破壞婆婆的家園。
奇迹出現了，工務部門經不起游說，同意龍局長的觀點，樹不用砍了，計劃中的新道路竟要為老樹繞彎。

龍應台創造了歷史。她看到台北的保護樹木法例非常不足，於是請專家協助撰寫樹木保護法案。三年後，台北巿政府通過了《樹木保護自治條例》。

我七年多前首次看到這則新聞，羨慕不已：台北真幸運，有龍應台當官，為樹木奔走和發聲。香港呢？仍是發展至上。我們未有保護樹木的法例，前立法會議員蔡素玉曾着手草擬保護古樹的私人草案，但她已不在位，草案無疾而終。

至年前赤柱大街塌樹慘劇發生後，安全成為砍樹的最新藉口。在恐懼出事的心態下，老樹被腰斬、削冠和削枝，七零八落，慘不忍睹。瑪利諾校方的心態，是上述心態的呈現和延續而已。

然而，今次瑪利諾校友為一棵老樹組織起來，他們護樹心切及表現的焦慮，讓我感到香港仍有希望。這城市一向對大自然缺乏尊重，但觀乎近期社會就 瑪利諾古樹 的討論，我想，起碼有一小撮人的價值觀開始改變。甚麼時候，我們城市的道路會為老樹繞彎，也許並非天方夜譚。

_____________________________________________________________________________________
北市三一－０三－一００一
臺北市樹木保護自治條例

中華民國九十二年四月十八日臺北市政府(92)府法三字第０九二０二八五八八００號令制定公布
中華民國九十八年七月二十日臺北市政府(98)府法三字第０九八三五０六八四００號令修正公布第三條、第八條及第九條條文

第 一 條 臺北市（以下簡稱本市）為保護具有保存價值之樹木及其生長環境，維護都市自然文化景觀及綠色資源，並健全都市生態，特制定本自治條例。
本自治條例未規定者，依其他相關法令之規定。

第 二 條 本自治條例所稱受保護樹木，係指本市轄區內，具有下列各款情形之一者：
一. 樹胸高直徑０．八公尺以上者。
二. 樹胸圍二．五公尺以上者。
三. 樹高十五公尺以上者。
四. 樹齡五十年以上者。
五. 珍稀或具生態、生物、地理及區域人文歷史、文化代表性之樹木，包括群體樹林、綠籬、蔓藤等，並經主管機關認定者。
前項樹胸高直徑係指離地一．三公尺所量測之樹木直徑，樹胸圍係指離地一．三公尺所量測之樹木周圍。

第 三 條 本自治條例之主管機關為臺北市政府（以下簡稱市政府），市政府所屬各機關權責劃分如下：
一 .文化局：負責本自治條例受保護樹木之普查、列管、督導、協調、執行及違反本自治條例之處理。
二. 都市發展局：負責受保護樹木地區之都市計畫相關配合事項。
三. 工務局：負責維護管理用地內受保護樹木之保護事項及第八條之技術援助等有關事項。
四. 產業發展局：負責公告之山坡地範圍內受保護樹木之保護事項、第八條之技術援助及第九條之追蹤處置等有關事項。
五. 民政局及各區公所：負責一公頃以下之鄰里公園內受保護樹木之保護事項、第八條之技術援助及第九條之追蹤處置等有關事項。
六. 警察局：負責第七條第三項之協助勘查及第九條之協助處理等有關事項。
七. 教育局：負責所轄學校用地內受保護樹木之保護事項。
八. 本市各公共工程主辦機關：負責各公共工程內受保護樹木之保護事項。
九. 市政府其他各機關負責轄區內受保護樹木之保護事項。

第 四 條 主管機關為處理關於受保護樹木之審議、諮詢、解釋、認定、協調、爭議及重大違規事件，得設臺北市樹木保護委員會（以下簡稱樹委會）。
前項樹委會設置辦法，由主管機關訂定之。

第 五 條 受保護樹木非經主管機關許可，不得砍伐、移植或以其他方式破壞，並應維護其良好生態環境。

第 六 條 從事建築、開闢道路、公園、綠地或其他公共工程等之建設開發者，應檢附施工地區內樹籍資料及受保護樹木之保護計畫或移植與復育計畫等相關資料，提送主管機關審查同意後始得施工。其屬申請建築執照者，應由建設開發者備齊樹籍資料及保護計畫或移稙計畫與復育計畫等相關資料，提送主管機 關審查同意後，始得由工務局核發執照。
前項基地屬公有土地者，其受保護樹木以原地保留為原則。其無法原地保留時，應由建設開發者自行負擔經費，並擬具移植計畫與復育計畫書圖向主管機關申請移植，經審議通過後始得為之。
第一項基地屬私有土地者，建設開發者為利用土地之需要，得擬具移植計畫與復育計畫書圖，並自行負擔經費，向主管機關申請移植。

第 七 條 第三條所定之各權責機關為執行本自治條例，必要時，得派員攜帶證明文件進入公、私場所進行勘查。
前項公、私場所之所有人或占有人，不得規避、妨礙或拒絕勘查。
第一項勘查，必要時，得洽請轄區警察機關協助。

第 八 條 受保護樹木之所有人或占有人，得向樹木所在地區公所提出申請，轉請工務局提供養護技術援助。
前項受保護樹木位於公告之山坡地範圍內者，區公所應轉請產業發展局提供養護技術援助。

第 九 條 為確保山坡地及社區內之樹木資源，產業發展局及區公所應定期
追縱當地受保護樹木實際狀況，除於每年十二月向主管機關提報其資料外，並視實際需要即時提報之。
第三條所定各權責機關，發現有違反本自治條例規定之情事時， 應予以制止或為其他必要之處置，並立即通知主管機關，必要時，得洽請轄區警察機關協助處理。

第 十 條 保護樹木成效卓著者，應予以表揚及獎勵。
前項表揚及獎勵辦法，由主管機關訂定之。

第 十一 條 違反第五條之規定者，處新臺幣五萬元以上十萬元以下之罰鍰，經限期改善未完成者，得連續處罰至完成改善為止。

第 十二 條 違反第六條規定者，處新臺幣五萬元以下之罰鍰，經限期改善未完成者，得連續處罰至完成改善為止。

第 十三 條 違反第七條第二項規定者，除得強制執行外，並得處新臺幣一萬元以上三萬元以下之罰鍰，且得按日連續處罰至履行義務為止。

第 十四 條 依本自治條例課處之罰鍰，逾期不繳納者，依法移送強制執行。

第 十五 條 本自治條例自公布日施行。

ISA HK/China --- Maryknoll Tree (Comments on Facebook on ISA HK/China)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

As the Maryknoll Tree has aroused a lot of public comments on Facebook, the Station Manager posted a comment on Sunday Feb 7 to invite the public to view the position of the Arborists for this disputable tree.

Facebook link for the event is:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1512402482#!/group.php?gid=311576555971&ref=mf

Alternatively, one may search under the heading of '救救鬼樹 (這麼有價值的鬼樹, 就這樣將她砍掉嗎?)' under Conservation Association in Facebook in HK page to find the appropriate link to enter the discussion.

As the Station Manger was doing it out of good intention & professionalism to let the public understand how Arborists would judge such a tree felling event out of science & practicality, what we were getting in return was completely out of our surprise:


" Ben Cheng

SAMMY AU 先生: I think you need to see a doctor, btw I need that your family has been in the tree fell business for a long time, that's why you just love to fell tree.

I think you have forgotten to take your medication !
19 hours ago ·

Ben Cheng Syliva

I have read the other assessment from the government there are tons of spelling mistake ... Ha! professionals ..... yeah right! they didn't even learn english. btw how can they pass the exam to be an Arborist ... maybe after all it is just a stupid title without any professionalism, because they let people who don't even know how to respect living things on the earth to become an Arborist.

They also let people who have metal problem to become an Arborist just like our MR SAMMY AU .. he is one big shxx head . I saw some of the post said he is the one who wants to fell the ghost pine last July. ... See More

btw THANK YOU MR SAMMY AU to post the link here and stick your stupid head out for me to spit on you .
19 hours ago · "


The Station Manager had visited some of the most remote parts of Dark Africa when he was posted there in business during his younger days in 1980's. He did not get an insult by knocking on someone's door to present a product, with muck thrown at him for no valid reason.

As Station Mail is circulated internationally to Arborists & our supporters, blood hunt may begin on this person, along with others who insulted our profession without a valid reason, to demand for a logical explanation. This can be very serious indeed.

Feedback like above would not elevate the image of those 'Tree Lovers' in HK, nor gain any social support from our society. We do not believe HK has degraded to randomly abuse others out of self-arrogance without logics. After all, all the Station Manage has said was " Please see our professional comments at ISA HK/China Blog". No technical discussion was put forward, but only personal abuses by the respondents. Would our society support attitude like that?

Do manners, respect, discipline, logical reasoning & civilized education matter anymore in HK after 1997?

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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ISA HK/China --- New CA Study Guide now available on-line

Dear Station Members,

It is the pleasure of ISA HK/China to inform you of the arrival of the latest Edition of 'Arborists' Certification Study Guide' (Study Guide). This is the recommended publication issued by ISA for the Certified Arborist (CA) exam, & is a must for anyone wanting to take part in the CA exam.

This new Study Guide replaces the former Edition & can be purchased on-line at http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/ .

Please note the Station Manager has the honour to have taken part in reviewing this new Study Guide along with other international experts (see attached). The Station Manager would like to share this honour with our 1,200 Station Members who have supported ISA HK/China in the past 5 years. Some of you have constantly fed us with good information indeed.

Thank you all again for your help in our development, & ISA HK/China looks forward to serve all of you in the best efforts we can.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

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

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China received the media report underneath this morning, much of its contents are self-explanatory.

ISA HK/China is not in a position to comment on the two reports mentioned in the media coverage; one by a local company & one by an overseas company on the Maryknoll Araucaria at links below:

1. Local Report --- http://www.devb-wb.gov.hk/greening/en/docs/EMERGENCY%20INSPECTION%20REPORT%20by%20Dynamic.pdf

2. Overseas Report --- http://www.devb-wb.gov.hk/greening/en/docs/AG%20Report.pdf

Station Members may want to download them for your own studies from the DEVB website above.

One thing that ISA HK/China wish to clarify in the media message below is that, the name of the 'Qualified Arborist' so mentioned in the Local Report has been searched, but could not be found as a Certified Arborist on ISA website (www.isa-arbor.com) under the heading of 'Certification - Verify an ISA Certification'.

Another question that was commonly asked in the past two days was on the title of the Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) & how to get it. The BCMA credential tests for a total of 165 scenario-based Multiple Choice Questions in a computer room only, & no written report or demonstration of practical skills are required. Please find other requirements for taking the BCMA on ISA website under the heading of 'Certification - Which credential is the right one for you?'.

As for evaluating reports, it is a contemporary practice for report of any kind to be written as understandable, readable, logical, defensible & not excessively wordy. ISA HK/China would recommend our Station Members to view the following literature in report writing as a guidance:

1. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative by Edward R. Tufre; Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT. ISBN 0-9613921-2-6.

2. Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication, 3rd Edition, ISBN 188321982-5.

3. The Chicago Manual of Style , 5th Edition; University of Chicago Press, 2003.

4. StyleEase for Chicago Manual of Style and Turabian's Manual for Writers; Style Writer-USA, www.StyleWriter-USA.com.

The above literature may help our Station Members to understand how good reports should be written, as well as resolving some of the queries of the media message （見表）mentioned below .

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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2月6日 星期六 氣溫 17°C 濕度 91 % 詳盡天氣報告

鬼樹今處斬 瑪利諾舊生報警 校方評估報告被質疑欠證據

(x報)2010年2月6日 星期六 0x:10

【x報專訊】瑪利諾修院學校昨日公開兩份「鬼樹」南洋杉的評估報告，雖然報告並無表明該樹有「即時危險」，校方指該樹逾半根部已受損，傾斜度增加及泥土鬆散，非常危險，決定今晨移除這棵23.5米高、5噸重的鬼樹。有專家質疑報告不專業及欠缺證據，瑪利諾舊生今零時與律師到尖沙嘴警署報案，指有人涉嫌違法破壞已列入古蹟範圍的鬼樹，數名舊生通宵留守「鬼樹」，另逾200人今晨會回校綁上綠絲帶，抗議移除鬼樹工程。

當局將於今日清晨約5至10時在瑪利諾南洋杉附近封路，據悉，校方清晨6時起移除鬼樹，承建商會以「分件移除（Sectional Felling）」，把樹分成每50至100公斤一件，再即時用吊機逐一吊離現場，以免大樹倒下阻礙通道。

瑪利諾修院學校小學部校監余黎青萍解釋，由於渠道已破損及有滲漏，校方去年12月底展開更新渠務工程，直至上月下旬校方發現承建商在鬼樹附近挖掘，已即時叫停工程及聘請樹木專家檢查鬼樹。

傾斜12度 減兩成支撐力

據註冊樹藝師胡煜文撰寫的報告，南洋杉逾半樹根受損，包括兩條直徑達100毫米的樹根，認為該樹已不穩定，需設結構支撐及每周巡視。校方隨後再聘請美國「國際樹木學會」註冊高級樹藝師（Board Certified Master Arborist）Eckert 於上月底檢視該樹，報告指鬼樹已向西傾斜約12度，指若失去有關根部，會減少逾兩成的樹木支撐力。

報告建議在拉索穩定樹身，或透過砍伐樹頭減少樹木負荷，「若拉索或伐去樹頭也不可行或效果不理想，可考慮移除樹木」。註冊樹藝師蘇國賢指出，兩份報告均無指明樹木有即時危險及「非砍不可」，有樹木專家對報告提出多項質疑（見表）。

不過，余黎青萍指樹身傾斜度於個多月間由8度增至11度，加上該樹泥土鬆散、樹木地形限制及風雨因素等，又指其他方法如拉索並不可行，校方決定盡快移除該樹，形容這是「忍痛」的決定。

facebook群組聲言今包圍

瑪利諾舊生朱茵稱，已蒐集逾2000名學生簽名叫停斬樹，並發出律師信質疑移除鬼樹的合法性。有逾2000名會員的「齊來保護屬於瑪利諾修院學校的鬼樹」facebook群組中，有會員聲言將於今晨6時包圍鬼樹，阻止斬樹工程。

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放大
樹齡逾50年的南洋杉，過去半個世紀屹立瑪利諾門前，逾2000名學生昨簽署希望叫停移除該樹的工程。校方形容移除該樹是「忍痛」決定，會把樹木製成紀念品或裝飾，讓學生留作紀念。

放大
瑪利諾修院學校小學部校監兼舊生余黎青萍昨手持樹木專家報告（中），指報告顯示逾半樹根受損，校方亦曾考慮其他方法如拉索，但要兼顧已列為法定古蹟的校舍及有足夠力度支撐鬼樹，校方最終認為其他做法不可行，只好「忍痛」移除鬼樹。

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

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

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。