Doubts raised on Hong Kong government's tree policy after Peng Chau cut-down plan halted

12-metre-tall Celtic sinensis on Shing Ka Road is not on the government’s old and valuable tree list

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Published: 1:15pm, 18 Aug 2015Updated: 6:02pm, 19 Jun 2018

Fresh doubts have been raised over the scientific basis of the government’s tree-felling decision process, after residents’ protests put a plan to slash a tree on the outlying island of Peng Chau on hold – a second controversy of the kind this month since the felling of four century-old Chinese banyan trees in Sai Ying Pun.

The tree in question, a 12-metre-tall Celtic sinensis, stands on Shing Ka Road on Peng Chau, which is not on the government’s old and valuable tree list.

The Lands Department originally scheduled to cut it down on Tuesday, citing two complaints from residents who said it posed risks to passers-by. It told the media last week that removal of the tree was recommended because it suffered multiple problems including soil erosion, fungal infection and a slanted trunk.

But after a protest staged by other residents and green activists last Friday, the department sent experts to conduct another inspection on Monday and later announced it had suspended to plan to cut the tree.

“[The experts] are now reviewing [the plan] and preparing their observations. The Lands Department will take into account this further report by the experts before taking appropriate follow-up action,” a department spokeswoman said on Monday night.