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DBKL workers felling a diseased Angsana tree in Jalan Hang Jebat
IT IS never too late to make things right.
About three decades ago, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) planted a variety of fast-growing shady trees such as Angsana, Flame of Fire and Khaya, to green the city.
However, rapid development and shortage of space forced the trees to survive in unhealthy, cramped conditions.
As a result, the trees, which are sandwiched between buildings, are now very tall because they have to stretch further upwards to get sunlight.
In addition, these trees are faced with little space on the ground for root expansion and moisture absorption due to upgrading of infrastructure.
Consequently, many trees are taller and not as strong or stable as they should be, because there is limited space on the ground for their roots to grip and spread out properly.
These trees pose a risk of breaking and toppling over.
DBKL Landscape and Recreation Development Department has filed papers to fell an Angsana tree that is strangled by Ficus near Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Realising this, DBKL is now phasing out trees that it deems dangerous and replacing them with slow-growth tropical forest trees and sturdy ornamental trees.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said that from 2010, many Angsana trees were infected with Fusarium Wilt, a disease that caused it to die and emit red resin from its bark.
“The fungus from an infected tree can spread to other trees through its roots, leaves and even the machinery used in trimming the trees.
“Last year, a total of 310 trees broke and 612 trees fell on its own.
“Areas where we have felled Angsana trees include Jalan Kuching, Taman Bukit Maluri, Taman Sri Rampai, Jalan Telawi, Bukit Damansara, Jalan Klang Lama, Jalan Puchong and Taman Tun Dr Ismail,” he explained.
He said DBKL was working with the Forestry Reseach Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) to identify suitable trees to landscape various parts of the city including roadsides, central divider, plaza, planter’s box, under flyovers and along rail lines.
“Among the species considered are Bunga Tanjung, Jambu Kuning, Bungor, Gelam, Kekatong, Sepetir, Merawan Siput Jantan, Keruing, Gapis and Kayu Arang.
“These trees are of medium size and moderate growth speed, which will reduce cost of maintenance but they look just as beautiful as current species.
“We are also studying why some trees and plants failed in certain areas and identify those that damaged the infrastructure such as drains and pedestrian walkways,” he said.
Landscaping has taken a backseat to fulfil the current need for development of buildings and infrastructure.
There are consequences to the implementation of the Federal Planning Act, which protects trees of 1m diameter from being felled.
Cramped for space and prone to breaking, these Khaya trees along Jalan Jelatek, Kuala Lumpur will be felled. — filepic
Mohd Amin said that since a tree that met the criterion could not be felled, the developer would have to work their way around it.
“For example, road widening, drain expansion and utility cable-laying works eat into the ground space of the tree causing its roots to be severed and that would jeopardise its stability.
“Rainstorms, especially in the monsoon season, when winds have been recorded at speeds of 50 to 60km/hour, can cause trees to get uprooted and branches to break.
Many trees in the city have little space for their roots to grow due to drains and roads. — filepic
“As such, we started to implement a tree protection zone whereby a set of guidelines is given to developers to adhere to in areas covered by the canopy or roots of the tree.
“This is to ensure that the trees are not injured in any way. If the tree has to be felled, we will calculate the cost of the tree based on its maintenance and carbon absorption, and charge it to the developer.
“The developer will also be required to plant a certain number of trees. For example, MRT paid over RM1mil and planted more than 800 trees in compensation for their project thus far,” he said.
“Indiscriminate trimming of branches also injures the trees. Many such cases involved trees blocking billboards.
“It is only going to get worse with the climate change phenomenon, so we have to act now,” he added.
Mohd Amin revealed to StarMetro that DBKL had appointed 16 contractors and each contractor was required to appoint one supervisor who possessed the International Arboriculture Society (ISA) certificate to manage and supervise the upkeep of trees in their respective area.
He added that the job scope included collecting data on trees based on its health and assess its risk for toppling, suggesting prevention measures to save the trees and preparing the schedule for maintenance works.
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/com...-in-kuala-lumpur-are-failing-to-thrive-causi/
