Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The city has thousandsof century-old trees that pose management as well as safety challenges,according to Nguyen Khac Dung, head of the Department of Transport’s park andurban tree management.
There are more than158,200 trees belonging to 180 species, including more than 6,760 that are 150years old.
"Infrastructuredevelopment and construction of high-rise buildings hinder the growth of treeroots," he told a seminar in HCM City on November 29.
Depleting groundwaterand its pollution are also major factors affecting the roots and causingbranches to break easily, according to Dung.
Many trees areunsuitable for urban areas, another reason that many fall easily.
Sidewalks are constantlydug up for underground works, which makes trees susceptible to toppling.
The incidence of treefalls has increased in the last few years due partly to sudden rainstorms,flooding, high tides and other impacts of climate change.
In 2015, the cityreported 184 cases of trees toppling and 437 cases of falling branches.
In the first 10 monthsof this year those numbers shot up to 220 and 580.
Dinh Quang Diep of theenvironment and natural resources faculty at HCM City’s Agriculture andForestry University said a large number of trees are chopped down to make wayfor infrastructure works and construction of sky-scrapers.
Since there is no landset aside for planting trees in the inner city, HCM City should develop itscanopy in outlying districts and new urban residential areas, he said.
There are many benefitsassociated with urban trees such as shade and reducing temperatures.
The trees also absorbrainwaters, helping prevent flooding, and help conserve groundwater.
Urban tree canopies arebecoming critical as temperatures rise as a result of global warming.
Since 2008 the cityDepartment of Transport has worked with the Department of Science andTechnology to draft a master plan for creating an urban tree canopy but it hasnot been completed.
“It is critical to havean overall assessment of urban trees so that appropriate measures can be takenin a timely manner to ensure the safety of people as well as conservation andreplacement of urban trees,” Dung said. — VNA
VNA
