TREE COMPENSATION AND MONITORING PROPOSAL

STAFF
The works under this proposal will be conducted by a senior ecologist (with a higher degree in
relevant field and at least 10 years of relevant working experience) and a plant ecologist (with
a higher degree in relevant field and at least 5 years of relevant working experience).

1. SURVEY ON THE EXISTING TREES

1.1 A survey for the existing concerned trees will be conducted (*A plant is considered as a
tree if its girth i.e. circumference of the trunk, measures 300mm (95mm DBH) or more
at a height of 1000mm above ground level.). Information of the existing trees will be
recorded, including:

a) Tree No. (numbers assigned for individual trees);

b) Species Name (Scientific name);
c) Size – height (m), girth i.e. circumference of the trunk or DBH at a height of 1000mm
above ground level (m), and crown spread (m);
d) Existing conditions of tree (Good/Fair/Poor/Dead);
e) Tree Form (Good/Fair/Poor);
f) Remarks (Particular Values; and/or Special Features highlighted).

1.2 The locations of the concerned trees will be recorded and photos of the trees will be
taken.

2. PREPARATIONS OF TREE SURVEY PLAN AND TREE SCHEDULE

2.1 A report, comprising a tree survey plan and a tree schedule, will be prepared after the
survey. The tree survey plan will show the locations of the trees on a map in suitable
scale, with the height, circumference of the trunk and tree spread, to scale. The plan
will also show trees to be retained, transplanted and/or felled.

2.2 The tree schedule will indicate the species (Scientific name), the height, circumference
of the trunk, tree spread and condition of each tree.

2.3 An example tree schedule is shown below

Tree Photo No. Scientific Chinese Tree Size Tree Existing

Amenity
No. in Tree name name form health
value
Photo DBH Average (Good/ conditions
Overall (High/
Records (m) Crown Fair/ (Good/
Height Med/
Spread Poor) Fair/
(m) Low)
(m) Poor)*
T1 1 Casuarina 木麻黃 20 0.53 2.5 Fair Fair
Med
equisetifolia
T2 2 Casuarina 木麻黃 3 0.51 1.5 Poor Poor
Low
equisetifolia

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2.4 Trees will be evaluated in terms of health and form. Each individual tree will be
evaluated based upon the following criteria.
Locations Features
Foliage Evidence of “poor leaf colour and small leaf size”
Evidence of insect or fungal infections in leaves
Evidence of leaf damage due to weather conditions, e.g. typhoons.
Twigs Evidence of “poor shoot growth and die-back of twigs in the crown”
Evidence of insect or fungal infections in twigs and branches
Evidence of twig damage, particularly if the tree are unbalanced
Branches Dead or crossing branches
Evidence of “heavy horizontal branches”
The presence or broken, damaged or cut branches as a potential site for
infections
Evidence of damaged branches which may make the tree unbalanced or
unstable
Trunk “Tightly forked trunks”
Evidence of “cavities or internal rot”
Seeping through the bark or bracket fungi
Open cavities and bark damage
Parasitism/tangling Occurrence of aggressive climbers, parasitic plants
Evidence of serious competition between closely located trees; tangling

2.5 The health of each tree was graded in accordance with the following:
Grade Criteria
G (good) Trees with low incidence of the less serious features and a medium chance of recovery.
F (Fair) Trees with a higher incidence of the less serious features and a medium chance of
recovery
P (Poor) Trees with more serious health features and with a low chance of recovery, even with
remedial measures
D (Dead) Dead or irretrievably unhealthy

2.6 Tree form was graded in accordance with the following:

Grade Criteria
G (good) Trees with well balanced form, upright, evenly branching, well-formed head and
generally in accordance with the standard form for its species
F (Fair) Trees with generally balanced form with natural compensations for loss of branches or
leaning trunks for example
P (Poor) Trees with very unbalanced form, leaning, suffering loss of major branches with
general damage and growing close to adjacent trees

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2.7 Trees with the following features were considered a significant tree:
Grade Criteria
Protected Trees protected by law under Forest and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96), Protection
species of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Cap 586)
Rare species Trees recorded in Hu, Q. et al. (2003) Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong, AFCD.
Champion Trees recorded in Jim, C.Y. (1994) Champion Trees in Urban Hong Kong. Urban
tree Council, Hong Kong, AFCD’s Register of Unusual Trees in Rural Areas, or ETWB’s
List of Old and Valuable Trees.
Uncommon Species not locally abundant or with limited distribution
tree
High Trees have an unusual handsome form in respect to the species of the same type
amenity
value
Large size Trees have a DBH greater than 1m (depending on species) and is of high visual or
and maturity ecological value

2.8 Photos of the concerned trees will also be presented.

3. PREPARATION OF COMPENSATORY PLAN

In accordance with the results from the site survey, a compensatory replanting plan will be
proposed. The dead trees and the trees in conditions beyond recovery will be compensated by
replanting trees. The replanting/compensatory trees will be of the same species of the trees to
be compensated, or native broadleaf tree species considered of higher ecological value than the
original species.

The compensatory planting will adopt a ratio not less than 1:1 in terms of both quality and
quantity. The total number and the aggregated girth size of compensatory trees shall be equal
or not less than those of the trees to be compensated.

The proposed locations for the replanting trees will also be shown on a map of suitable scale.

4. PREPARATIONS OF LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE PLAN

For the trees not requiring replanting compensation but in unsatisfactory condition, long-term
maintenance plan will be proposed. Measures to protect the trees will be provided.

The commonest causes of impacts on trees from construction works include changes in
exposure to light, root cut/removal by trenching or soil removal, the removal of good soil,
changes in water supply, the compaction of soil, root crushing by equipment, and branches and
trunk damages.

To remedial the conditions of the affected trees, the sources of the impacts should be identified,
and reduce or even remove the sources of impacts.

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Potential remedial measures for trees include:
A. Establish fence-off areas to cover the dripline from the tree crown as a Tree
Protection Zone (TPZ).
B. Avoid pile-up construction materials from the TPZ .
C. Prevent disturbance (including the operations of construction equipment,
parking, storage) in the TPZ.
D. Regular irrigation on soil around both trees.
E. Installing a water hose with numerous small holes around the trees, to provide
continuous but slow application of water.

5. INSPECTION OF REPLANTING WORKS

The replanting plants will be inspected by the senior ecologist or the plant ecologist. A
replanting report will be submitted after the replanting works are finished. The report will
include photographic records of all compensatory trees, and the location of the compensatory
trees on a map of suitable scale.

6. MONITORING FOR THE REPLANTING/COMPENSATORY TREES

After the replanting, the compensatory trees will be monitored monthly by the senior ecologist
or the plant ecologist for one year. The conditions of all compensatory trees will be recorded,
and photos will be taken.

7. MONITORING FOR THE TREES REQUIRING LONG TERM MAINTENANCE

For the trees requiring long-term maintenance, the concerned trees should also be regularly
inspected to review the effectiveness of the remedial measures. If there is no improvement,
further remedial measures such as replacing the new filling materials with good quality soil,
and/or laying mulch on bare soil surface around the two concerned trees should be considered.

Monitoring will be conducted by the senior ecologist or the plant ecologist monthly for the first
three months after the implementation of the maintenance measures, and then every three
months for 9 months. The conditions of all compensatory trees will be recorded, and photos
will be taken.

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