Tree master warns of Hong Kong decay

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=148082&sid=42754566&con_type=1&d_str=20140806&fc=4

Wednesday, August 06, 2014 The first Asian to receive an international arboriculture award for his contribution and research says Hong Kong is like a tree that is decaying.But tree expert Jim Chi- yung, who has fought for the conservation of century-old banyan trees, says he hopes the decay is in its infancy and the Hong Kong tree can be saved. Jim, a University of Hong Kong chair professor, is this year's winner of the LC Chadwick Award for research from the US-based International Society of Arboriculture. Jim said Hong Kong is like a tree that is decaying. "But I hope it's a tree that is just starting to decay because that's mean we still have a chance to save it." ADVERTISEMENT Jim said fungi is one of the factors that causes a tree to decay. "They are spread by spores which come from mushrooms," he said. When asked if the mushroom was Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, Jim replied: "There is not only one mushroom [in the Hong Kong tree]." Earlier, when Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po proposed using country park land for housing, Jim had criticized the proposal as "completely unnecessary" at this time. Jim said vigorous opposition to the proposal indicates progress in awareness of environmental protection. he has been studying Hong Kong trees and plants for 30 years. Jim said the people's "intrinsic mind-set" about trees is the most difficult hurdle to overcome. KENNETH LAU