Wednesday February 1, 2012
MPPP: Heritage tree on Jalan Kelawei still 'alive'
THE heritage Angsana tree outside a luxury condominium project on Jalan Kelawei in Penang was 'girdled' to rid the trunk of parasites.
Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) public relations division said in a press statement that the tree was still "alive".
However, Malaysian Nature Society adviser Kanda Kumar said the tree may still be alive but it would eventually die as only 1% of trees were able to survive being girdled.
"It is unlikely that the girdling of the tree was done to rid it of parasites. The parasites will instinctively leave once the tree is dead.
"The council can always tell the people that the tree is a danger to motorists and it has to cut it down as it is already dead," he said when contacted yesterday.
It was reported that more than 20 Angsana trees along Jalan Tun Dr Awang in Bayan Lepas were dying or had died by 'girdling'.
Girdling or ring barking results in the death of wood tissues beyond the damage. When the main trunk of a plant is girdled, the entire tree will die as it is unable to regrow and bridge the wound from below.
Another 15 Angsana trees were found with an 'X' marked on their trunks.
In responding to the report, the council clarified that the trees on Jalan Tun Dr Awang were under the authority of the state Public Works Department and the markings were done by a housing developer.
The council added that a notice had been issued to the developer to replace the two dead Angsana trees located on the road.
Kanda said the council must ensure that the replacement trees were planted in the same vicinity and not somewhere far away.
He added that anyone wanting to chop down a tree must seek the council's consent as any tree more than 12in in diameter was the property of the state.
"I would like to suggest to the council to put up on its website the reason and the number of trees which have been chopped down on the island.
"The application to chop down a tree should also be included. This way, the people are able to keep track of their beloved trees," he added.
The local authorities recently came under fire from non-govermental organisations and the public for doing a 'hack job' of pruning Penang island's trees.
A reader had called The Star to complain about how badly the trees along Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Udini and Sungai Ara were pruned.
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