THE recent uprooting of a huge raintree near Suria KLCC in the heart of the city and similar incidents in several parts of Penang need the attention of the authorities.
The episodes have garnered lots of comments, and should not be viewed in isolation.
The regulatory authorities must respond adequately.
Planting of trees in housing estates and public areas should not be considered a one-off thing.
As the trees mature, they need to be monitored.
As they grow old, the roots weaken as may have happened to the old raintree near Suria KLCC.
Public parks and children’s playgrounds are affected by protruding roots of trees, which often damage concrete footpaths and drains.
Tall trees attract lightning strikes, posing a danger to public safety.
Why plant trees next to lamp posts or under electrical wiring in residential areas?
The lightning strike that killed an elderly couple on March 12 while jogging in the open recreational field in Puchong Jaya should be a wake-up call.
The tall pine trees planted along the jogging track had created the right condition to attract lightning strikes.
While we appreciate the good intention behind creating green lungs, there is increasingly more evidence that some trees planted in housing estates and public places pose grave danger to people.
Residents’ associations are often put in a spot having to deal with incidents such as fallen branches on power lines during thunderstorms.
It is time for the authorities to re-look the choice of trees and their positioning.
It is most reassuring to hear that many local councils are recruiting arborists to help determine suitable trees and their positioning in public areas.
EDDY NG SOON HOH
Puchong, Selangor