Two old candlenut trees affected by brown root rot in Guia Hill Municipal Park will be removed by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) early next month in order to ensure public safety, the bureau said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the two trees were found to be infected with the disease years ago, and the bureau afterwards 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 ancient trees have not shown improvement in their growth conditions and have withered, the statement said.
During the removal work, members of the public are advised to follow the on-site instructions and refrain from entering the enclosed areas to avoid accidents.
Aleurites moluccanus, or candlenut, is a flowering tree in the spurge family. It grows up to 30 metres tall.
The bureau pledged in the statement that it will continue to monitor the situation of old trees throughout the city. Anyone who finds abnormalities in any tree 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 the two sick candlenut trees that are about to be removed.
