by jojoba » Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:08 am
Dear Dr Jim,
Having listened to the feelings aired by the sister of the HKU freshman-to-be who was struck dead by the tree in Stanley in the CR 1 morning radio shows in these couples of weeks, it was especially sad to see the Candlenut tree, one of the icons in HKU campus, has to be sacrificed in order to keep us safe before any more life-costing tragedies occur.
Could you explain to us why the tree was infected with fungi? Is it because of its bad health due to the bad environment or surrounding as everywhere nearby is concrete or cement? I'd also like to ask if there are any measures to be implemented so as to ensure the new tree that would be planted and grow tall in the open space would grow healthy ever after and keep immune from hazardous fungi infection that will cost its or others' lives again? As the environment in HK has become worse and unhealthy for growth of trees, I do worry many more big old trees would need to be pulled down like 'Our Candlenut tree'.
I also find quite a couple of schools in HK have tall big old trees within their campuses. They would also pose a deadly threat to the school children running around under them.
Jojoba
Fac Ed