The Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that it will commence tree maintenance work in the Guia Hill Municipal Park later this month to remove vines that are affecting the growth of trees and to remove diseased trees that have rotted and are at high risk of collapse, urging members of the public to watch out for the bureau’s arboricultural activities to avoid accidents.
According to the statement, the work is to protect the park environment and safeguard public safety, which will include the pruning of 43 trees and the removal of three diseased candlenuts (aleurites moluccana) that have a high risk of collapsing.
The arboriculturalists will arrange for the orderly pruning of trees with overly dense branches and with structural defects, removing diseased branches, dead branches and structurally damaged branches, the statement said, aiming to reduce the weight of the canopy and the area exposed to wind.
In addition, the statement noted that three diseased candlenuts started to grow poorly last year, with yellowing leaves and abnormal defoliation of the whole tree. After six months of observation and a series of maintenance and rehabilitation work, the statement added, the health condition of the trees has not improved and they are still rotting, posing a higher risk of being a safety hazard. Therefore, the statement noted, they will be removed to reduce the chance of the trees collapsing during storms.
Besides, the statement said, a Mock Bodh Tree (Ficus rumphii) at the Taipa House Museum was found to be infected with brown root rot disease and the roots of the tree have rotted and lost support, posing a high risk to safety and, therefore, need to be removed as well.
During the tree maintenance work period, the bureau reminded members of the public to follow the instructions on site, pay attention to the temporary fencing arrangements and avoid approaching the respective trees to avoid accidents.
The bureau also reminded the public that trees are at risk of breaking under the influence of external forces, such as wind and rain, and that they should avoid entering and staying under trees during or within a few days after wind and rain.
Members of the public are advised to call IAM’s hotline on 2833 7676 or visit its official website at https://app.iam.gov.mo/iamconnect to report any abnormal situation regarding trees.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows a diseased Mock Bodh Tree (Ficus rumphii in Latin) at the Taipa House Museum.
