China Arborist Association

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Job Advert --- Arborist for OLL

ARBORIST

(Ref. No.: 2/AT/6IV)

Working in the Landscaping Team, the incumbent is responsible for supervising a number of existing ongoing arboricultural works projects including tree protection, pruning and transplanting. Duties include preparing Method Statements, Tree Survey reports and monthly status reports for submission to various authorities / clients and Site Supervisory Works.

Requirements:

• Degree in Horticulture / Arboriculture or a related discipline and be an ISA Certified Arborist or similar

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience in health diagnosis, tree identification and report writing

• Sound knowledge of Arboriculture required

• Good interpersonal and communication skills

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Chinese

• Valid clean Hong Kong Driving Licence preferable but not essential

• Willing to work on alternate Saturdays.

• Possession of a Construction Industry Council Safety Training Certificate ( Green Card)

Interested parties are invited to send their applications with a cover letter quoting job reference number, and full resumes stating career history, qualifications, expected salary and contact numbers through one of the following means: -

By Post:

Human Resources Director

Swire Properties Limited,

64/F One Island East,

18 Westlands Road,

Island East, Hong Kong

By Fax: 2880 8300 or

By E-mail: recruit2@swireproperties.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

ISA HK/China (professionals) --- Topping at a girl's school in Kowloon 名女校乱砍树

Dear Station Members,

The attached photos were taken by a Station Member when she passed through this famous girl’s school in Jordon Road last week. Isn’t it unbelievable that something like this can still happen in HK?

The trees were topped, mutilated, & worst of all, planted underneath a roof to grow no taller. They lack sun & space for proper canopy & root development, & the building is just less than a meter away. Who on earth would put them there for what good purpose, & for what long term benefits they will get?

Is there a “landscape consultant” responsible for this job? Are these trees under the jurisdiction of any Govt regulations? By what international or local standards were the trees to be put into this state? Is there any Arborist involved in the design & execution? Who would be responsible for making the decision of the operation? Can the decision be justified? There remains a whole range of questions to be answered.

What good is it to say we love trees, but to put our trees into misery? Why do some trees in HK get a lot of attention, & some don’t? Why some groups favour a particular situation & give a cold shoulder to others? Are we fair & just in our attitude towards incorrect practice, or are we selective in our work?

Who would like to answer the above questions?

best regards,

Sammy Au

President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

所附的照片是由一位本会会员在上周经过一间位于佐敦道的著名女子中学时所拍摄的。令人难以置信的是这样的事情依然在香港发生？

这些树木被斩顶及强剪，而最糟糕的是，她们被种在一个不能长高的屋顶下。他们缺乏适当的阳光和空间去发展，与该建筑物只有不到一米的距离。谁会把她们放在那里，有什么好的目的？

这项树木移植的工作是否有一个“园境顾问“呢？是否由政府所监管的呢？通过什么样的国际标准或者地方标准令这些树木变成这种状态的呢？有没有树艺师参与呢？谁应为这些斩顶及强剪的决定负责呢？这些决定是否合理？这仍然存在着一系列的问题需要回答。

为什么我们一边说爱护树木，一边却让我们的树木受伤害及痛苦？为什么有些树木在香港得到了很多的关注，和一些没有？为什么一些团体只关注某些树木而忽略其他呢？我们是否以公平和正义的态度去对待不正确的做法，还是我们是有选择性的，而目的又是什么？

誰可以回答上述問題呢？

此致

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号 HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
独立执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“没有深入诊断及探究支持去作出治疗，是专业失误。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由莊俊榮注册树艺师 /市政树艺师号 HK-0009AM 翻绎。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

Friday, May 13, 2011

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News 乱锯树被罚20万

Monday, May 2, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Taiwan Tree News (阿里山树木击出火车出轨)

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,

Below is a piece of very saddening news that grieves Taiwan & China for an unexpected Tree Failure to derail a train in Alishan. Up to 29.4.2011, 5 passengers were killed & 99 injured, some seriously.

Very little is mentioned in the news for the cause of the accident. Was the branch decayed before failure? Did it belong to exceptional lean? What's the wind speed at that time? Was it attacked by pest before breakage? Was there any visible sign observable by a reasonable person to spot any instant danger before failure? These & many other questions, will be investigated & examined in a suitable institute (e.g. Coroner Court) in western countries to prevent similar accident to happen again.

In western countries, it would be inconceivable to have large overhanging trees alone the railway track for any train. The trees there would be assessed & maintained to minimize risks. The Arborists would be there to give comments & supervision. On the other hand, ISA has not yet entered Taiwan. There is not even one single Certified Arborist, never mind anything higher, in the whole of Taiwan. The Station Manager has met Taiwanese "Tree Experts" in various seminars in HK, but their attitude is that they know it all already, & would not respond to any communication of ISA HK/China. Now these bunch of "Tree Experts" would conduct the investigation. Good luck to Taiwan.

The fatal Tree Failure in Stanley in HK in 2008, has changed HK for Tree Care forever. Every Govt tree is now assessed for risk & mitigated by Tree Professionals. The HK Govt also know well that the genuine Tree professionals are Arborists, not landscapers. Massive Tree Risk Assessment is conducted in HK at every level in public & private sector. China is beginning to be influenced & we can see this is the way to go. Taiwan is on the other side of the Strait. We don't know where they would pick the best of the world to call us in. Taiwan is under the territory of ISA HK/China.

Nobody wants to see Tree Failure that kills. It brings agony & sorrow to so many families, & destroy the image of the Tree Owner. However, it's always Mother Nature makes the Rules; not anybody.

Arboriculture is a unique science irreplaceable by other greenery discipline. If anybody does not believes in this, let them try.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

以下是一段令人非常痛心的新闻: 於2011年4月28日,一辆阿里山小火车因树塌意外而出轨，截至2011年4月29日，有5名乘客死亡及99人受伤，部份伤势严重, 而当中绝大部份是国内游客。这次意外令台湾及中国人同感悲伤。

新闻發报很少提到意外原因。树塌前,树枝是否已经蛀烂？树干是否特别倾斜？当时的风速怎样？有否在断折前受虫害袭击？是否有普通人都能於场察觉到的即时明显危险迹象？这些及其他类似问题都会受到西方国家的相关机构（如死因裁判法庭）提问, 作出调查及审察，以防止类似事故再发生。

西方国家会难以想像出沿途之火车轨会有如此巨大的悬垂树木存在风脸。如有,这些树木都会受到评估及保养以减少风险。当地的树艺师会提出意见及监察。话说回来，国际树木学会还未踏足台湾。对整个台湾而言, 那里根本连一个 "注册树艺师" 也没有，无须理会它会有更高级的树木专家存在。本分会长曾於香港的众多研讨会中接触过台湾的“树木专家，但他们的态度是他们都已经全懂得了，且将不会对本分会的沟通作任何回应。现在，这群“树木专家"会对上述意外进行调查。我们祝台湾好运。

2008年香港赤柱的致命树塌已经永远改变了香港对树木护理的态度。每棵官树都会经过树木专业人员的评估及将风险减低。香港官员亦清楚知道名副其实的树木专业人仕是树艺师，而不是庭园设计家、园艺师和其他。香港每一层次之公共和私营部门都有进行大规模的树木风险评估。中国已开始被受薰陶, 走向应走之方向。台湾是在海峡的另一端。我们未知道他们会否接受我们, 而台湾是属本分会轄区。

没有人愿意看到有杀伤力之塌树倒下,它会带来了許多家庭痛苦和悲伤，边破坏了树主的形象。無論如何，只是大自然去決定成敗, 无人能及。

树艺是一门独特的科学, 并非其他绿化学科所能替代。如有人不信此话，试试吧。

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号no.HK-0174BT(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“没有深入诊断及探究支持去作出治疗，是专业失误。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由罗叶明注册树艺师HK-0538A 翻绎。一切内容以英文版本为准!)

阿里山翻小火車 5死99傷

阿里山森林鐵路神木支線小火車昨日發生嚴重意外，意外中列車共有4節車廂翻車，其中第5和第6節車廂出軌後從鐵橋上落下。（）

列車遭粗大枝幹擊中，部份車廂被扯得車輪朝天。（）

大批受傷遊客被轉移出車廂外，等待救援。（）

圖為救援人員用擔架轉移受傷人員。台灣軍方也有動員直升機參加救援，幫忙送傷者就醫。（）

【專訊】台灣再次發生涉及大陸遊客的嚴重傷亡事故。一列在嘉義著名景區阿里山行駛的小火車昨日中午被倒塌的樹幹擊中後翻側脫軌。台灣農委會表示，截至晚上 10時，共有5人罹難、99人受傷，其中32人重傷。據悉，死傷者大多來自廣東、浙江、山東、四川和河南5省的旅行團。大陸國台辦和國家旅遊局要求台方全力救助。台灣旅行商業同業公會聯合會表示，每位死者可獲200萬元台幣（約54萬港元）賠償。

香港旅遊業議會總幹事董耀中表示，暫未收到有港人涉及該宗意外。而「縱橫遊」表示，昨日至4月30日，共有4團100人將前往阿里山，旅行社會安排團友改乘環保巴士遊覽，至於5月出發的團隊則視乎情而定。入境處表示會密切留意事態發展，在外港人如需協助，可致電入境處「協助在外香港居民小組」的24小時求助熱線，電話：（852）1868。

塌樹擊車廂致骨牌效應

台灣嘉義縣消防局稱，意外發生於中午12時許，一列掛有8節車廂的小火車，從神木站開往阿里山站時，突然有一條直徑約92厘米的樹幹落下，擊中第7節車廂，令火車出現骨牌效應，造成4節車廂翻側脫軌，其中 2節跌落高約10米的小鐵橋下，有旅客更被拋出車廂，傷亡嚴重。事發後，軍方派出直升機將傷勢嚴重的旅客送到醫院急救，軍方也派出醫護人員和軍人上山救援。

涉及事故的5個大陸旅行團分由台灣西南、創意及山富旅行社接待，其中，創意旅行社恰好也是去年蘇花公路失蹤大陸團的接待旅行社。

死傷者多為大陸客

中央社指出，台灣過去曾發生多起樹木倒塌釀成死傷意外，而阿里山鐵路沿線有大量超過百年的老樹。由於每年的4、5月是季節交替之際，容易發生老樹倒塌或樹枝斷裂事件。

總統馬英九昨日下午在主持國民黨中常會時得知消息，立即趕回總統府了解情，他要求盡快救治傷者、找出事故主因。而台灣移民署表示，針對事件中傷亡的陸客家屬、承辦業務與這起事故有關的大陸旅行社人員，及大陸旅遊局官員，該署將協助緊急發給入出境許可證。

阿里山森林鐵路在2009年「八八水災」後受到嚴重損毀停駛，去年6月中旬才逐步恢復行駛。

昨日翻車意外發生後，阿里山鐵路再次全面停駛。而在去年10月21日，台灣蘇花公路發生嚴重山泥傾泄意外，共造成1死25人失蹤，絕大多數是大陸遊客。

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

阿里山翻火車設靈悼亡魂

台灣阿里山前日的小火車翻側意外，當局經統計確定為五死、一百零九人傷。五名死者均為大陸旅客，分別來自四川、廣東、山東，死者家屬預定今日陸續抵台善後。台灣方面昨於殯儀館暫設靈堂，部分未受傷團友前往致哀，不禁落淚。至昨日尚有七十五名傷者留醫，其中一名近七旬大陸客情況危殆。

台灣慈濟會成員到靈堂向遇難者致哀。

前日在事故發生後，台灣多個部門各自發布死傷人數及名單，非常混亂。經嘉義縣衞生局最終確認，死傷者共有一百一十四人。五名死者均為女性，兩人屬四川團、兩人來自山東、一人來自廣東。

五十二歲的盧彩枝為廣東東莞人，與丈夫一同遊台，未料卻從此天人永隔。盧的丈夫重傷留院，前日接受手術後驚聞噩耗，哀慟不已。昨日凌晨，他強忍身心傷痛到殮房認屍。

靳睿遠重傷留院，祖父表現憂心。　

四川團有兩人遇難，六十九歲的友人劉素蓉哭說，原本是八名親友同團赴台，未料只剩六人回去。劉素蓉因鎖骨骨折、三根肋骨折斷，昨日仍然留醫。她指此行的八名親友，去年同遊海南島和香港，今年到台灣，明年預定到新加坡、馬來西亞及泰國，但現已無法如願。

台灣有關部門昨在嘉義市殯儀館為死者設置靈堂，其中負責接待廣東團的台灣創意旅行社董事長李奇嶽，昨天陪同未受傷的團員到場致祭，多名團員當場掉淚。據悉，因辦理簽證需時，罹難者及部分傷者家屬，預定今日陸續抵台。

昨仍有七十五人留院，其中六十六歲的叢瑞勝因多處骨折、脾臟破裂，情況危殆。叢的女兒亦受傷，仍然留醫。

檢調人員到出事現場調查。（）

阿里山小火車的出軌翻側事故，造成逾百人傷亡。（）

當局指不涉人為輿論質疑

針對今次意外起因，台農委會昨日重申，是樹木斷裂造成，當中不涉人為因素，沒有監管不足等問題，輿論質疑過早定調。農委會及後表示，會派遣四名生態及植物學專家到場調查。另外，嘉義地檢署亦介入調查，除了針對樹木倒塌原因，還有司機煞車是否得當等環節，暫未有結果。

Sunday, April 17, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Xiamen Botanical Garden Visit 23-24.4.2011

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China is very pleased to inform you that we have been invited to carry out an Exchange Visit to Xiamen Botanical Garden on Apr 23 - 24, 2011.

This is the first time ISA HK/China has ventured outside Guangdong Province to go further north to promote ISA Arboriculture. Whereas Guangdong traditionally would have received international information from friends & relatives in HK, the other 29 Provinces in China would need to rely upon their own efforts, or through the Central Govt, to invite experts to bring them updated knowledge. As China is such a big country & Arboriculture has not yet started there, sky is the limit for an international organization like ISA. With us knowing the land & culture, speaking the language & being nearby, ISA HK/China is handling an opportunity as big as China can offer today.

In this tour of duty, ISA HK/China will send 11 of our staff to deliver a general introduction in Arboriculture from Tree Selection to Tree Climbing. We shall present 3 seminars on Tree Standards, Installation & Pruning in the first day. In the following day, we shall demonstrate Tree Climbing & on-site Tree Risk Assessment. We have told our host that there is no limit as to the number of audience for our events, & everybody, whether working in the greenery industry or not, is welcomed. It is already known that landscapers, nurserymen & scholars will all attend.

Xiamen Botanical Garden is perhaps the 2nd largest botanical garden in China & they have not followed the others to go into commercialization. They are the traditional friends of the Station Manager for years, & it is through this relationship that this visit was instantly arranged. After Xiamen, ISA HK/China will approach our other traditional contacts, if funds & time are further available.

Upon our return, we shall produce a Station Mail on this visit. We hope to bring all of you good news.

ISA HK/China will live up our word to open up China for all our Station Members, one tree & one Arborist at a time.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

各位会员，

国际树木学会中国地区分会很高兴的通知大家，在今年四月二十三至二十四日我们获邀到厦门植物园进行交流访问。

这是本分会第一次跨越广东省到较远的地方推广国际树木学会的树艺行业。传统上，广东省可以从在香港的朋友和亲戚们接收国际消息，但中国其它的29个省则需要靠自己的努力，或是通过中央政府，邀请专家带给它们最新的知识。但这不适用于ISA, 因为ISA分会才是唯一的官方代表。由于中国是一庞大的国家而树艺行业在中国还未开始，对本分会而言，确是商机无限。

在我们今次的行程，国际树木学会中国地区分会已经准备好11位人员去进行树艺行业的一般介绍 - 从树木选择到树木攀爬。我们会在第一天举行三场讲座，内容是关于树木规格、种植及修剪。在第二天，我们会示范攀树及即场树木风险评估。我们已经通知对方，每一个项目的观众的人数都是不限，也不论他门是否从事绿化行业。我方已知道院校生、工程人员、管理人员和生产人员都会到场。

厦门植物园也许是中国第二大的植物园, 及不像中国其它植物园一般进行商业化。他们与本分会长是多年的老朋友，也是通过这种关系，令这次的访问一拍即合。

我们回程之后，将会发放一份关于此次旅程的会讯，我们希望带给各位好消息。

本分会将会信守之前的承诺，来开发中国这个庞大市场，也将从每棵树和每一位树艺师做起。

此致

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师/注册攀树师号no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

(本文由周志贤先生翻绎, 注册树艺师号 HK-0280A , 一切内容以英文版本为准 !)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Domains of Arboriculture 树艺学领城

Monday, April 11, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Writing Arborist Report 撰写树艺报告

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,

ISA HK/China frequently receives complaints upon our local Arborist Reports in HK from various clients. Issues include poor English, irrelevant information, inaccurate description & lack of clear decision. Clients complain that they have difficulties in making judgment after reading such a report, & would regard it as unprofessional as compared to other disciplines.

It is true that the Certified Arborist (CA) exam does not test for English report-writing. This appears to belong to the following reasons:

1. The CA exam was originally developed in North America & candidates there would use English as their mother tongue. Somehow if a report is required, the CA there can write something out that is understandable in their own language.

2. Arborists in western countries would do all kind of Arborist work from design, selection, maintenance, inspection, protection to risk assessment. Writing up detailed technical report like those frequently demanded by Govt Depts in HK, would belong to specialists like the Consulting Arborists (www.asca-consultants.org), who are trained to address such issue with good communication & technical skills.

In our territory, Arborist work is lob-sided to Tree Risk Assessment (TRA) due to political influence. Whereas quantitative TRA is done by filling in forms for quick assessment, there are times where Govt Dept would require special focus on trees pending detailed investigation. There are also cases where trees have been damaged or interfered under public attention. The client would then like to obtain specific information on the extent of damage/interference, & make a decision on the next move. For this kind of work, a common Tree Survey or Ecological Assessment report will fall short of what the client is looking for, & would not help them to make a justified decision.

Whereas the CA exam came to our territory, it made the same assumption that all our candidates can use English in their daily life. This is certainly too much to ask for, as a lot of our local candidates may read English well, but not to speak or write it the same, since Cantonese is the mother tongue in HK. Also after 1997, many politicians have encouraged using Cantonese as the common language even in Legco. English more or less remains for business/administration writing, & there is a trend that it is getting stereotypic as seen in many of the daily communication issued everywhere.

ISA HK/China has not seen by now a good Arborist Report with many pages of description written to international standard in HK. Most of the time, the report structure is confusing; the language used is full of errors; the observation is unclear without justification; & the conclusion is unconvincing. All there is appears to be nice packaging of pages after pages of irrelevant information, which can drown the reader into boredom & confusion. Such a report can be easily challenged at Court.

It is also noticed in a lot of the Arborist Reports which mention that they are written to the "Practicing Standards" of ISA. ISA is a research & education organization. It does not produce "Practicing Standards". Any CA who puts this in may have impeached the Code of Ethics of Certified Arborist, & may be subject to investigation by ISA Cert Dept.

Many people have been respecting our newly emerged Arborist Profession partly out of respect for the prestigious organization of ISA. If our local Arborists do not upgrade themselves in their performance, the respect may not last forever. ISA HK/China will collaborate with Govt Depts & public to eliminate poor quality work, & will not fight to be there by status. ISA HK/China will insist on quality work. After all, HK is just one city out of hundreds in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China. Why should we protect the HK Arborists alone for bad work?

ISA HK/China has set up a Qualified Arborist credential (QA, http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09/isa-hkchina-qualified-arborist-qa.html) to elevate our performance locally. One of the focus is report-writing in its requirement. The QA credential is also modeled after the Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA, http://www.asca-consultants.org/) requirements, although in a much junior level. At least Technical Writing is not demanded in the QA. ISA HK/China regards our QA can write a basic Arborist Report of some sense. Clients should demand QA to give them readable Arborist Reports in future.

ISA HK/China will try to deliver 3 session of ISA Tree Seminars to introduce "Technical Writing" to our Station Members later on. A mere 3 session will not instantly qualify an Arborist to write international report. However, it will help.

ISA HK/China will relentlessly upgrade our Arborist Profession locally, one tree & one Arborist at a time.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President / Station Manager
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

本分会经常接到不同人仕对本地树艺师所撰写的英语报告的投诉，包括英文差，加入不相关的資訊，不准确的描述以及缺乏明确的决定。客人抱怨说他们在阅读这样的报告后并不能作出适当的决定，从而觉得本地树艺师并不够专业。

事实上，"注册树艺师" 考试并不测试撰写英语报告, 主要基于下列原因:

1.此考试最初是在北美洲发展起来的，当地考生是以英语作为母语。如果他们要用英语撰写报告，这些树艺师是不难做到的。

2. 树艺师在西方国家是负责全面的树艺工作，包括设计、选种、维护、检查、保护及风险评估。香港政府部门也经常要求写作详细的技术报告，这些工作应该由一些专科人员, 例如 “顾问树艺师”（www.asca-consultants.org）去担当, 而并非由一般 “注册树艺师”去担任，因为 “顾问树艺师”们接受过另类培训，拥有特殊的沟通能力及和技能。

由于政治影响，香港树艺师的工作侧重于树木 “风险评估”。大部份的评估是通过填写某些简单表格快速做出的。然而有些时候，政府部门是需要更加详尽的树木报告。还有一些情况下，树木的损坏及干扰是受到公众关注。客人有时候也需要取得具体的资料，去了解树木是受到何等程度的破坏或干扰，才能决定下一步的行动。在这样的大前提下，一个普通的 “树木统查’ 或 “生态评估”报告并不能够提供足够的资料帮助客人来做出合理的决定。

当 “注册树艺师”考试来到香港的时候，它假设了所有考生是在日常生活环境中使用英语的。但这显然是不恰当的假设，虽然大部份本地考生可以阅读英语，但他們说讲和书写英语的能力并不高，因为自从一九九七年开始，粤语已变成为香港的母语。一九九七年后，许多政治家都鼓励使用粤语为共通语言，即使在立法会会议亦是如此。尽管在商业/管理写作上仍然仃留使用英语，但在日常沟通上, 英语的使用已经渐趋公式化, 而树艺报告倒是千变万化。

本分会直到现在还没有看过一个达到国际水平的本地树艺报告。大部分时间，报告的结构是混乱的，所用的语言充满了错误，观察往往是不明确, 或是理由不充份，结论亦往往也是不能令人信服。包装报告往往在不错的页面设计及不相关的资讯下，令读者感到混淆及困惑。这样的报告是很容易地在法院被提出质疑的。

我们亦注意到在很多的树艺师报告中提及报告是符合ISA的“执行标准”。然而，ISA是一个研究和教育机构，它并不制定“执行标准“。任何树艺师把这个不遵守 “注册树艺师”道德标准的字句加入报告内，可能会受到的ISA发牌部门的调查

许多人都尊重我们这新出现的树艺师专业，部分是出于尊重我们这个国际权威组织ISA。但是，如果本地树艺师不保障自己的专业表现，这种尊重不可能永远持续下去。本分会将与政府部门及公众合作，消除质量差的树艺工作，以及不断地向前进步。本分会将坚持贡献高质量的树艺工作及把持专业态度。毕竟，香港只是在中华地区数百个城市的其中一个。我们为什么要特別关照香港能力低下的树艺师, 而损害整体利益?

本分会已成立了一个 “认可树艺师” 的认证制度 (QA , http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09/isa-hkchina-qualified-arborist-qa.html ) ，以提升我们的本地水平。要成为 QA, 其中一个重点是报告的撰写。 “认可树艺师” 的认证是仿照 “顾问树艺师”（RCA, www.asca- consultants.org）的要求，但仃留在较初级的水平, 亦不要求懂得“技术写作”。本分会认为我们的 “认可格树艺师” 是可以撰写有一定意义的基本树艺报告。客人亦可在未来要求聘用 “认可树艺师” 去提供可读的树艺师报告。

本分会在不久将来会提供三节讲座，向本会会员介绍 “技术写作”。短短三次讲座将不会立即令本地树艺师写出国际水平的报告。但是，它会有所帮助。

本分会将坚持不懈及一步一步地提升本地树艺师的专业水平。

此致

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号 HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“没有深入的诊断及研究的支持而作出治疗，是专业失当。”

“随便的树木评估员只会作出散漫的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由莊俊榮注册树艺师 /市政树艺师号 HK-0009AM 翻绎。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ISA HK/China --- China Tree News ( Tree Planting Dispute in Foshan)

Monday, March 21, 2011

ISA HK/China --- First BCMA in Asia (亚洲首位 "资深树艺师")

Monday, March 14, 2011

ISA HK/China ---ISA International Society in Sydney, July 23 - 27, 2011

Dear Station Members,

It's time to send another reminder to all of you for attending the ISA International Conference in Sydney, Jul 23-27, 2011.

The Sydney Conference is the closet to our territory so far & it is packed with excellent education & exposure. Besides the Workshops, there is a Trade Show, many Educational Seminars, & a Edu-tour which fits anyone working in the Greenery Industry to see how Arboriculture & Greenery have developed in this magnificent city. Many of you as Tree Climbers may want to compare your skills at the International Tree Climbing Competition. KW Lee & SY Ho, former pupils of the Station Manager, will be competing in the ITCC events for the first time from our territory. Some of you may even decide to bring an empty suitcase like the Station Manager, to fill it up at the Trade Show with the latest gears to save tremendous shipping cost home.

The Educational Seminars will provide CEU, for which some of our Certified Arborists (CA) would need for their re-certification. Some of you complained that ISA HK/China cannot organize enough CEU locally. Now is your time to get them all in Sydney. Besides, you would need the CEU & Conference Attendance to go for our local Qualified Arborist (QA) (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09/isa-hkchina-qualified-arborist-qa.html) credential. From enquiries received in the past, these two elements appear to the only outstanding requirement for most, & now is the time to get them.

On Jul 27, there will be an Edu-tour organized by the Conference to visit the Tree Planting & Landscaping around Sydney. This is a popular event, as experts will come along to explain & answer the various aspects of the greenery development in various locations. This is something that an ordinary visitor cannot get if going on his own. Besides, this will be an excellent opportunity for networking with international counterparts, as many joining will be from other parts of the world.

By now, the Conference Hotel of Sebel is already full. ISA HK/China has checked the air-ticket supply locally, & it is getting tight form HK to Sydney around Jul 22. All ISA HK/China staff & prominent Tree Climbers of our territory will be going to the Sydney Conference. ISA HK/China will pick a time & spot on Sunday July 24 in the ITCC event location for a group photo to show our participation in this very worthwhile occasion. All ISA HK/China Members & visitors from our territory are welcomed to take part for good memory.

So, while you are thinking, the places are going fast. If you miss the boat this time, the next conference will be far, far away with extensive travel & jetlag. So what's the hesitation?

See you all in Sydney soon.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President / Station Manager
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)
ISA Certified Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174AT (www.isa-arbor.com)

各位会员 :

现在我想再提醒大家，记得出席今年7月23号至27号在澳洲悉尼举行的ISA国际会议。

这个会议是历来最接近我们的，同时它还提供了良好学习及交流的机会。除了工作坊外，还有展览会，很多学术性研讨会及教育性的考察行程，都是很适合绿化行业人士认识一下这个宏伟城市的树艺及绿化发展。你们当中有很多是攀树师的，可能想在国际攀树比赛中一显身手。我的两名前学生将会参与这项国际赛事，这是本分会地区第一次参加国际比賽。你们有些人甚至可以和我一样，携带一个全空的手提箱去带回展览会出售最新款的工具器材，这可省回寄运费用呢。

需要持续专业资格的 “注册树艺师”，可透过参与是次学会性研讨会获取学分。曾经有些会员投诉，本分会在香港没有举办足够活动使他们获取学分。现在是他们最好的机会到悉尼获取所需的学分。还有你们需要学分及出席会议资历去申请本分会的 “认可树艺师” (QA) (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09isa-hkchina-qualified-arborist-qa.htm1) 资格。从过往收到会员的查询，有些会员只欠缺这类的资历，现在是最好机会去获取有关的资历了。

这个会议将于7月27日举办一个教育性考察行程，参观悉尼一带的植树和园林。这是一个很受欢迎的活动，因为沿途会有专家向参加者解释和作答各种的绿化发展问题。这种接待安排是一个普通旅客得不到的。还有，这个考察行程也给你一个很好的机会与来自世界各地同业联系。

至目前为止，会议酒店 Sebel Parramatta 是已经住满了。本分会查询得知7月22号由香港飞往悉尼的机票供也十分紧张。所有本分会干事及资深攀树师都会参加此次在悉尼举行的ISA国际会议。为展示我们参与这个盛会的力量，本分会会安排适当时间及地点在7月24日的国际攀树比赛举行场地来拍摄一个全体大合照。欢迎所有来自本分会地区的会员及参加者齐来拍照留念。

如果你放过今次会议，下次会议的地点将会离中国很远很远，到时你要受长途飞行及时差之苦。所以当你还在考虑时，门卷则越卖越光，阁下又何苦犹疑呢？

悉尼见吧！

敬祝安康

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长
欧永森
顾问树艺师号RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
独立执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)
注册树艺师/注册树艺师号 HK-0174AT (www.isa-arbor.com)

(以上由霍健, 香港注册房屋经理号 R.P.H.M. – 119 翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

Monday, March 7, 2011

ISA HK/China --- PTB (Episode 3 : Proper Diagnosis before Risk Assessment)

Monday, February 28, 2011

ISA HK/China --- 国际通行的樹木種/移植方法

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,

Attached is another translated article from ISA research on Planting/Transplanting Landscape Trees. This article has already been accepted by major newspapers in China for publication. Station Members are welcomed to distribute it within their own channels to China for education purpose with our permission.

Prime ISA concepts in rootball size, planting hole dimension, soil backfill, watering, staking & mulching are discussed in brief, to arouse response from China readers. We do not want to throw in complicated details at this stage. This may confuse the audience. We shall save that for our future seminars in China.

China has been practicing the horticultural methods of selecting "root-bound" nursery stocks produced in containers for Tree Planting. "Root-bound" trees would have minimum Transplant Shock due to the roots not disturbed during the planting process. It will give "Instant Effect". However, they are also known to be associated with Girdling Roots, which will strangle or topple the tree when mature. Pot Plants are produced in "root-bound" because they do not grow tall & live long. Trees will. This concept from horticulture has ruined Tree Planting in our territory for years, & hardly anybody has exposed it in the past.

Research has not confirmed that Soil Amendment with organic matters, hormones, water-retainers & other compounds would definitely help Tree Establishment. Unlike smaller plants in pots, tree roots will outgrow in the surrounding soil within a week, if the weather condition is favourable. The "potting mix" in the backfill will soon become useless, & is liable to create instability due to its soft texture. This "potting mix" concept from horticulture has again confused landscapers to waste funds to demand procedures which may not benefit trees.

Fertilizers can be a killer for newly emerged roots. Higher concentration can be a lethal dosage. ISA Best Management Practice does not recommend Pre-fertilizing in planting pits, but to analyze the needs of the tree after planting to formulate the correct dosage. Pot Plants frequently put in pre-fertilizers in the "potting mix" to encourage growth. They usually grow faster than trees, but die equally faster. Their life span is short. Trees have evolved in their millions of years on Earth to grow in most soil, rich or poor. Trees in general do not need much fertilization. Therefore, we tend to mix up horticulture with Arboriculture again in Tree Fertilization.

Staking is a temporary measure internationally. Prolong staking will reduce Tree Taper to produce weak stamina, & discourage root spread. Staking a tree forever is like propping a healthy person with stretcher to walk around everyday. What would happen if we remove the stretcher? The person would fall, because his muscles have degenerated due to the use of the stretcher. Say if we don't do that to a human, what reason should we do that for trees? We should demand a scientific reason for staking a tree forever.

This article written in simple language has resolved many riddles of Tree Planting for our brothers & sisters from their traditional practices. It may ring a bell & wake some of them to re-think what Mother Nature requires. Arboriculture is a scientific discipline. If anyone does not agree with Mother Nature, let's see who'll make the rules.

best regards,

Sammy Au

President / Station Manager
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)
ISA Certified Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174AT (www.isa-arbor.com)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

附件是另一篇翻译文章，主题是本会对 "园林树木种/移植"的研究。这篇文章已被各中国主要报章接受并将在国内出版。本分会欢迎各会员在我们的许可下，透过自己的渠道分发到中国各地以作教育用途。

此文章简介本会有关土球大小、树洞尺寸、填土、浇水、种后支撑及覆盖物等方面的基础概念及标准，以引起中国读者的注意。我们不希望在本阶段探讨太多复杂的细节，因这可能会混淆大家。我们将在未来在中国举行的研讨会中作进一步的探讨。

国内在选择苗木时一般倾向采用生长在苗盆内的苗木，因为这些苗木的根系在移植时将受到最小的影响，提供移植成功的 "即时表象"。但是，这些苗木的根系由于受苗盆的限制，一般都会出现盘绕根的问题，当树木逐渐成长时，容易出现根系互相盘绕绞杀及树干倾倒的问题。盆栽植物根部受限并无太大的问题，因为它们不如树木般会长高和长寿。但是此概念运用在苗木生产上却几乎毁了我们在树木种植上的努力，而过去没有人发现。

研究还没有证实使用泥土添加剂如有机物质、激素、保水剂及其他化合物一定可帮助苗木移植后的复原。不像生长在盆栽的小植物，树木根系在适合的天气中，可以在一周内长离泥土添加剂的有效范围，进入原土里面。在回填土中使用的各种泥土添加剂将很快变得无用，而其松软的质地亦很容易造成不稳定的土壤。这种使用各种添加物的园艺概念再次混淆业者，令他们浪费资金去执行可能不利于树木生长的程序。

肥料可以成为新生树根的杀手，高浓度的肥料往往是致命的。ISA的最佳处理并不建议在苗木种植前在树穴施肥，而是在分析树木在种植后的需要而制定正确的剂量。盆栽植物经常会在新盘内预先加入肥料以鼓励生长。它们的生长速度一般比树木快，但却死得快一些，因为它们的寿命很短。树木在数百万年的进化中渐渐适应，可以生长在无论肥沃或贫瘠的各种土壤，故此树木一般并不需要太多的肥料。在以往, 我们往往在为树木施肥上混淆了园艺及树艺的概念。

种后支撑是一项国际通行的临时措施。但是，长期的支撑会减少干粗收窄（Taper）并造成长弱的主干，及阻碍根系的发展。长期依赖支撑的树木就有如一个健康的人每天以助行器走动。当我们移走助行器时会发生什么事呢？该人将会跌倒，因为他的肌肉已经在每天使用助行器中退化。如果我们不会对一个人这样做，我们又有什么理由要这样对待我们的树木呢？如果要长期为树木提供支撑，请提出科学的理由！

这篇文章用简单的语言, 解释了许多有关树木种植在国内传统处理上的问题。它可能敲响了警钟：唤醒国内的兄弟姊妹们重新思考什么是大自然的要求。树艺是一门科学。如果有人不同意大自然，让我们看看到底是谁制定规则。

敬祝安康

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
独立执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)
注册树艺师 / 注册攀树师号 HK-0174AT (www.isa-arbor.com)

“不深入诊断和参照研究来批出处方，是专业失当。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由莊俊榮注册树艺师 /市政专家号 HK-0009AM 翻绎。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

国际通行的樹木種/移植方法

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长欧永森

顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 独立执业树艺师号 IPA-010908

注册树艺师/注册攀树师号 HK-0174AT

国际树木学会(INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE，简称ISA) 经过数十年的研究论证，建立了一套基本树木栽种方法作为参考指南，与目前香港/国内现行使用的方法略有不同。

(A) 栽种一般1 cm–10 cm 干粗的园林绿化树

ISA 建议采用的园林绿化树的干粗最好不要超过10 cm，因为在此粗度以下的树木生命力一般比较旺盛，移植后复原较快；如果移植时土球也能符合ISA 标准的话(10 x干粗)，用树基本上很少会产生『移植痴呆症』。

ISA的研究同时发现移栽同品种干粗10 cm以下的苗和移栽10 cm以上的苗同时相比，经过几年生长后，10 cm以下的苗的最终粗度竟比10 cm以上的苗为粗！这点与大苗和小苗的移除根系比例有关。

香港和国内在园林设计选苗时候都喜欢苗木『越大越好』，认为这样够排场，有『即时效果』，又以为大树会比小树长得快，其实长远效果变成适得其反，欲速则不达。

此外，也有下列各点值得注意：

1.所挖树洞大小

a.树洞直径应在土球直径的最少两倍以上，又以三倍最为标准。较大的树洞有其优点，起码有较多的空间在土球旁边工作，减轻在解除土球包装的时候对根系的损害。其次是因为树洞较大，回填的的松土自然较多，这有利于新根的发展，也有利于浇水的时候水分在松土里面平均分布，有利新根生长。

b.树洞的深度应比土球的深度浅5 cm到10 cm，方便土球少量露出泥面。为何如此？因为树木本身有重量，在新根发出以前，土球在浇水后可能浸降少许，刚好平衡凸出土面部份。也许土球可能是放在实土上面而不会浸降，但由于大部份新根都是长于离土表以下的30 cm，对喜欢氧气和怕泡水窒息的新根发展，这绝对有利无害。 ISA的研究指出，只要浇水充足，如此浅种1 cm-2 cm的土球在根系发展方面会更健康，复原速度会更快速。

2. 填土(BACKFILL)

ISA 建议回填土时候只采用从树洞挖出的原土，无须混合任何泥土添加剂，例如有机物、肥料、保水剂、激素等等，这点与香港/国内现行做法非常不同。 ISA 的研究指出，泥土添加剂对发根作用不大，况且新根长出后，没多久就会长离泥土添加剂的有效范围，进入原土里面，令添加剂从基本上失去效用。如果新根不愿长进原土向外伸展，只仃留在泥土添加剂的范围里打圈，很容易便造成 ‘盘根现象'，为日后大树倒塌创造机会。此外，加入添加剂的泥土密度会与原土不一致，容易导致水分分布不均，造成偏生根系，对整树的日后发展不好。所以ISA 建议除非原土性质特差，否则不用混进添加剂，或是将添加剂使用的范围扩达至日后成长树冠以下，才是有效的做法。

3. 覆盖物 (MULCH)

ISA 建议在移植后，土面应该放上7 cm至10 cm厚的覆盖物，而此等覆盖物又以已发酵的粗糙有机物为佳，例如刨木片、谷糠、树皮等等。在西方国家，特别是北美洲，很多时候采用新鲜刚切碎的树木残渣来作覆盖物，这些没有发酵过的有机物也很少发生烧根或抢氮等现象。铺放覆盖物的范围要达到成长树冠边缘的垂直线下以达到最佳效果，又以离开树干约5 cm-10 cm为好，以减少根颈产生腐烂的机会。

覆盖物的好处在于根系恒温、保水、增添原土有机物等等，可以创造良好的地下环境以便发根。

4. 种后支撑

ISA 认为采用树木支撑只会减少干粗收窄(TAPER)及根系伸展的发展，所以建议在非用不可的情况下才使用支撑。因为支撑只是临时措施，所以很少使用金属材料，而以廉价木材为主。

支撑的插土部份要以不损害根系为目的，接触树干的部份要采用软性宽带材料，以减少对树皮作出的机械伤害，安装的时候要越低越好，方便建立干粗收窄。

设立支撑的时间要越短越好，一般只是一个生长季节，以利树木的地上下部发展，千万不要长年累月设置，否则根系不愿外伸，干粗收窄很难出现。

5. 种后施肥

ISA 认为应该先检测种树区的原土的含肥量，才决定种后应该施肥与否。

普遍来说，刚种下的苗还没有长出新根来作吸收，过高的肥料浓度反而影响新根长出，也会助长病虫害的发展；此点与香港/国内拌肥进土的现行做法有所不同。

如果检定确有须要作出施肥的话，应采用缓解肥施放在回填土的上面，让其慢慢溶化释放，无须混进。种后施肥期间一般只进行到根系已达到复原程度，之后要按个别情况判断每次的施肥量和方法。

(B) 栽种一般10 CM干粗以上的园林绿化树

与香港/国内现行做法不同，ISA 不建议采用或移植10 CM以上干粗的大树作为园林绿化使用，主要原因有以下两点：

1. 操作困难

移植10 cm以上干粗的大树时，如果采用达标土球(10 X 径粗)，则非必须使用机械搬运不可，否则用人力及 ‘土办法'来拖拖拉拉，必然对包装土球造成极大损害。如果把土球随意缩小，成活率和复原速度肯定下降，根本得不偿失。

如果要挖标准树洞 (3 x 土球直径)，周边设施必须配合，建筑物、管道、道路等等都要让路。还要考虑大树日后够否生长空间，以免维修增添麻烦。

此外，目前供应香港/国内的绿化大树越来越少，造价越来越高，苗场没得供应的唯有到野外乱掏乱挖，简接造成生态灾难，借问此举谁应负责？

2. 复原困难

众所周知，成年树的活力(VIGOR)不及幼年树，在砍根移植后须要复原时间比幼年树长很多，什至不会完全复原。

ISA 过去的研究指出，在温带地区，移植成年树的复原时间大概是每干粗2.5 CM就须时一年，这等如移植一棵25 CM干粗的成年树，它的复原时间可能长达10年。

如果土球尺寸太小，胡乱修剪，再加上日后管理不善的话，移植过的大树可能直走下坡，永不复原。试问如此的移植是为了什么？

以上两点是从商业角度作出考虑。假如为了某些原因而非采用成年树不可的话，移植时候要注意以下几点：

1. 修剪

目前香港/国内移植大树的时候，普遍大量修剪树冠，把枝条剪到某固定长度，认为如此可以减少蒸发量来提高成活率，其实也为了方便运输。

ISA 的研究发现，如此造法不单对复原速度毫无帮助，反而导致日后枝条容易产生腐烂 (DECAY)，生根缓慢和树体健康慢慢走下坡。

树木的根部须要从叶片那里取得营养，大量的剪掉叶片会截断供应来源，导致营养不良，无法伸展。如果根系萎缩，地上部的生长肯定受到影响，照样复原困难。

ISA 建议如果须要修剪树冠的话，应该把枝条的切除量减到最少，以保持叶片数量和树木干架的结构完整，但枯、病、死枝则一定要切除。

修剪的时候，要采用正确的剪法 (见日后发表文章'国际通行的树木修剪方法')，而且切口无须涂上保护液(SEALANT)，因为ISA 的研究发现保护液根本作用不大，反而助长腐烂产生。

2. 土球

挖出的土球要求越宽越好，深度一般在0.6-1米左右算是足够，大部份的根系很少长到1米以下，但也有例外情况。

土球如果能到挖到原树的树冠垂直投影线下的最为理想，否则最小也要到其一半。

土球如需接受断根处理，要通过几个月的稳定期，包装良好和经常保持湿润的情况下，再选择合适天气时候搬移，而且最好在当天内完成。

* * * * * *

不管设计有多好，苗木在移植前质量有多高，如果栽种方法不理想，最终的效果也是徒劳无功。合理的栽种方法是保持苗木长期健康发展的关键，也可以大量减省日后维修保养的开支。

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Our Station is 6 years old

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。(http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#en

zh-CN)。Please also see the local translation underneath !!

*** 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,

By the time this Station Mail is released, ISA HK/China is already 6 years old.

ISA HK/China has transformed from the original "ISA HK/China Correspondence Station" to "ISA HK/China Station" to the now properly registered "ISA HK/China". We retain the word "Station" just out of tradition, since it has been known all around the world. In reality, we practice under the image of a Professional Institute. But again, the word "Institute" is not used anywhere in ISA Organization around the world. It appears to be a word favoured in Commonwealth countries only, & our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China is not part of the Commonwealth.

In our ongoing progress especially towards China, we shall gradually regularize ourselves to transform into proper titles. For e.g., the "Station Manager" will become the "President", & "Vice Station Manager" will become "Vice President", etc. This will help our brothers & sisters up there to understand better, & to provide the recognition relating to their contribution. By now we have 6 working Committees, each functioning to look after the various affairs of our development from Exams, Education to Activities. We are constantly seeking appropriate volunteers to grow ourselves. We always ensure that we are a body of performance & not a fund-wasting White Elephant. Besides, we have no fund to waste.

Station Membership reaches around 1,500+ no. with the same ratio of 70% graduates, 40% Masters & 3% PhD & above at present. We have become truly inclusive with Station Members coming in from all walks of life, with each making contribution to us in his/her own way. This is how ISA HK/China grows to become today. Therefore, the glory goes to all our Station Members.

Over the years, the Station Manager has deep feeling towards an old Chinese proverb : " 得道多助，失道寡助。(If you are heading the right direction, you'll receive support all along; & vice versa)". We have throughout the years upheld our Station Principles of Integrity, Professionalism, Participation, Fact-finding & Truth-telling. We do not allow our Arborists to sell their soul for making money alone. We abide the ISA Ethics for Certified Arborists to the last word, & would take action to expose wrong-doings. We do not protect evils & prevail truth under research. This distinguishes us to become a strong leader in the Greenery Industry to segregate commercialism from professionalism. This has made ISA HK/China unique.

Now we are heading north for China. Our first round of literature barrage has received favourable reception from the China elites. One "Party Newspaper" with over 20 million readers has invited the Station Manager to speak in a seminar in Beijing this September. Another one is for October & more will come. As a matter of fact, we do not see why ISA Arboriculture cannot help the Land of Old Dragons to improve their quality of living, by planting & maintaining good trees. Also in China, their practical thinking will help us develop, because ISA has more research & education to compare with anybody around the world. Best of all, ISA is "International", which will receive the highest reception in the China bureaucratic hierarchy. This has given us a good edge.

No doubt ISA HK/China will expand in China. It's just a matter of time. Like our brothers & sisters up north would say: "Nobody can stop the turning wheel of history 历史巨轮无阻挡". ISA will be practiced by them to benefit the public.

Thank you all again for your contribution to develop ISA HK/China. At the end, this will benefit all.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)
Certified Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174AT (www.isa-arbor.com)

"Treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor gives wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

当這电邮发放之时，国际树木学会中国地区分会已经六岁了。

木分会已经由原来的「国际树木学会中国/香港通讯站」转型成为「国际树木学会中国/香港站」及至现在正式注册的「国际树木学会中国地区分会」。我们沿用英语的「站」一詞只是出于传统，其实全世界都知道我们是「国际树木学会中国地区分会」。实际上，我们用一个专业机构 (Professional Institute) 的形式运作。但「机构」这字眼在全世界的国际树木学会组织内没有使用的。这字眼看似只在英联邦国家使用，而香港、澳门、台湾和中国并不是英联邦的一部份。

在我们持续的进展 - 尤其是对中国，我们必然逐渐的规范自己转型成为恰当的衔头。例如：「站长」将会变成「会长」，而「副站长」将会变成「副会长」等。这会帮助我们国内同胞更加容易理解，及对于参与人贵们的贡献提供表彰。到现在，我们有六个工作委员会，每个委员会的运作是照顾我们发展中的各项事务 - 由考试、教育至周年聚餐等。我们不停地寻找适当的自愿者去壮大自己。我们常常确保我们是一个有成果效益的专业组织，而兴非一个浪费金钱的大白象。而且，我们没有可浪费的金钱呢。

会员人数现在已达到1,500多人，当中有70%是大学毕业、40%是硕士及超过3%是博士及以上。我们的会员包括来自社会各阶层的人士，每人以他/她们的方法为我们作出贡献。这是本分会发展至今的方法。所以，荣誉归于我们所有的会员。

过去多年，本分会长深深的感受到中国的一句谚语：得道多助，失道寡助 (If you are heading the right direction, you’ll receive support all along; & vice versa.) 。我们秉持着分会的原则：诚实、专业、参与、找寻韦实和道出真理。我们不允许我们的树艺师只是为了钱而出卖灵魂。我们坚守到底国际树木学会注册树艺师的道德规范，及会以行动去张扬错误的做法。我们不会保护邪恶，而只会在研究中推行技术。这分辨在绿化行业里的商业主义和专业守倒，令我们成为强势的领导者。这也是本分会独特的形象。

我们现向中国进发。第一轮文章的输送已获得中国精英们良好的注意。某一份有超过二千万读者的 “公家报” 也已经邀请本分会会长在今年九月到北京进行演讲。更多的陆续有来。事实上，我们看不见为甚么ISA树艺不能够协助我国改善人们生活质素 - 种植及护养优良的树木。同时，在中国，他们务实的思维方法将会协助我们发展，因为ISA在全世界与其它机构比较，有更多的研究与教育。更重要的是，ISA是 “ 国际” 性，这将会在中国的官僚架构中获得最高层次的接待。这给我们有利的位置。

无疑，本分会在中国扩大，只是时间上的问题。正如我们的兄弟姊妹们说：历史巨轮无阻挡 Nobody can stop the turning wheel of history. 他们将会以ISA为朋友。

再次多谢大家为本分会的发展作出贡献。到最后，这将会对大家都有益。

敬祝安康

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
独立执业树艺师号 IPA-010908
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)
注册树艺师 / 注册攀树师号 HK-0174AT
(www.isa-arbor.com)

“没有深入的诊断及研究的支持而治疗是专业失当。”

“不认真的树木评估员将会作出荒唐的树木评估。这是大自然的规则。”

(译者：周志贤 ISA注册树艺师号 HK-0280A，一切内容以英文版本为准)