Two camphor trees – a species of evergreen tree that is native to South China – were planted on Thursday in the city’s main square – Largo do Senado, from where two ailing Cinnamomum burmanni trees (aka Batavia cassia) had earlier been removed, according to a statement by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) on Friday.
The statement pointed out that the camphor tree, one of the native species in Macau, is a large evergreen tree with a straight and graceful shape, a unique fragrance, and a crown that can provide good shade for passers-by.
The statement said that the two Cinnamomum burmanni trees removed recently had been suffering from severe root rot and were at risk of falling, adding that after digging up the two trees’ roots, it was found that the main and most of the lateral roots of both trees had rotted due to root rot fungi.
The bureau had carried out a raft of treatment measures on the two Cinnamomum burmanni trees which were found to be infected with root rot and harmed by termites, during a regular tree inspection last year, including pruning, removal of fungal fruit bodies, application of medicine, expansion of tree cavities and installation of tree stakes, according to the statement, which noted that due to the infection of root rot at the bases of the two trees, severe withering and sponginess had occurred. As the growth of the two trees continued to weaken, with the trunks losing their support and posing a risk of falling, the bureau removed them for public safety.
After the removal of the diseased trees, the statement underlined, the bureau promptly cleaned the contaminated soil in the two tree holes and replaced it with healthy soil before planting the two camphor trees there on Thursday night.
This handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) on Friday shows one of the two camphor trees in Largo do Senado that was planted on Thursday night.
