Two candlenut trees affected by brown root rot disease in Guia Hill Municipal Park will undergo height-control pruning by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) from today in order to continue to monitor their health conditions, the bureau said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the two sick trees were found to be infected with brown root rot disease recently. Therefore, the bureau invited dendrologists from the Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture to conduct inspections of both trees and provide advice on their maintenance, while also continuing to take remedial measures such as pest and disease control, fertiliser application, and medication.
However, the growing conditions of the two sick trees have still not improved, even under the continuous monitoring effort by the bureau’s arborists, the statement said.
Taking into account the health condition of the old trees and their location, in order to avoid possible safety risks, the bureau said it will continue to carry out height-control pruning of both trees to reduce the weight of their canopies, and also protect the trees against the harm caused by termites and other pests.
Members of the public are urged not to enter the fenced-off area while the trees are being pruned, while also taking preventive measures to reduce the possibility of accidents.
Aleurites moluccanus, or candlenut, is a flowering tree in the spurge family. It grows up to 30 metres tall.
The bureau promised in the statement that it will continue to monitor the situation of old trees throughout the city.
Anyone who finds abnormalities in any trees can contact the bureau by calling 2833 7676 or via “IAM Connect”, according to the statement.
This undated handout picture provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows IAM arborists working in front of one of the two sick candlenut trees.
