JUST two days ago, two Chinese tourists were killed in Penang when a large tree fell on the car they were in.
The incident has provoked shock and anger as only a couple of weeks ago an Indian tourist fell to her death in a sinkhole in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur. In May this year a man was killed in Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL when a tree fell on him.
Trees planted for aesthetic and environmental reasons by local authorities nationwide are now becoming a source of danger to unsuspecting people.
When the KL incident happened numerous letters were published in the media about the dangerous trees and what needs to be done and so on, but no one mentioned about the negligence and incompetence of the tree-pruning contractors who are the main culprits.
The government, through the local authorities and other relevant public departments such as the JKR spends, millions of ringgit for the tree-pruning programmes throughout the country. There are a large number of dangerous trees in the jurisdiction of local authorities.
There are lots of trees with low branches hovering over the roads and they are a danger to container trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles. Local authorities turn a blind eye to all of these including trees blocking signboards.
Quite a number of fatalities resulting from tree falling mishaps have occurred in the last few years. Scores have been injured and some have escaped death miraculously.
Damage to property runs into the millions of ringgit. As such this problem associated with urban trees needs to get the close serious attention of the authorities.
Local authorities who give out the contracts hardly monitor the work of the tree pruners. One need not be a qualified arborist or landscapist to know about the danger the tree poses.
A lot of old trees in towns and cities, some planted before Merdeka by the British, need to be felled and if possible replaced with proper trees that do not become a danger in urban areas.
Trees in urban areas especially cities have weak root systems due to drains, concrete surfaces and roads and have lopsided growth due to poor sunlight. During rainstorms the gusty winds find an outlet through the roads as other areas are blocked by buildings and other structures.
It is mainly on the road divider and the road reserve where most of the urban trees can be found and these trees cannot withstand the high pressure of the winds during a rainstorm and many crash or have their branches snapped.
The only way to reduce tree-falling incidents is for the heavy pruning of trees to enable them to withstand strong winds.
The trees should not be allowed to grow beyond about 30 feet and trees pruned vertically tends to grow sideways and will be broad like a ball and will be less risky of toppling.
It is the tall top-heavy trees with weak roots and heavy unwieldy branches that are the main problem.
There needs to be a paradigm shift in the planting and upkeep of trees especially in urban areas. Trees need to be properly manured according to schedule. One sees a lot of emaciated trees with yellowing leaves in Malaysian cities.
Pruning of trees must be a year-round affair, trees need to be monitored closely for tell-tale danger signs, and dangerous trees need to be pruned if not cut down.
Local authorities need not hear the views of the public or residents when it comes to heavy pruning or felling as it will be the same people who will criticise the local authorities in case of incidents resulting in property damage, injuries or death.
Many residents object to tree-felling or heavy pruning because of the shade and greenery trees provide.
Trees may look alright in good weather but it is only during a severe rainstorm that they start swaying and become risky to people and property. The residents need to understand and be aware of this.
The local authorities should responsibly do their duty without interference from the public. Action needs to be taken against owners whose private properties have leaning trees that pose a danger to the public.
The local authority has every right to issue a notice to have the trees pruned or felled as the case may be.
Now that more tree falling incidents are happening it is time the authorities took this matter seriously and be strict with the tree-pruning contractors and also check the health of the trees. Urban areas need to be kept safe for the public. – Sept 23, 2024
V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Facebook/Penang Kini
