DBKL identifies 28 ‘high-risk’ trees for felling

Kuala Lumpur City Hall has identified 28 ‘high-risk’ trees for felling following a fatal tree collapse at Jalan Sultan Ismail earlier this week. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has identified 28 trees as “high-risk” and slated for felling following an incident on Tuesday where a large tree came crashing down at Jalan Sultan Ismail, killing one man and injuring two others.

In a statement, DBKL said its certified arborists had been inspecting trees over 30 years old or with a circumference exceeding 1.5m around Kuala Lumpur since 2019.

“So far, 175 trees have been flagged as high-risk, with most being over 50 years old. Out of this number, 147 trees have been felled,” it said in a statement.

“Regular inspections, including the latest in February 2024, have pinpointed 28 trees for felling soon.”

Felling is the process of deliberately causing a tree to fall by cutting through its trunk or main stem.

DBKL said high-risk trees were identified through resistographs, picus tomography and visual assessments to detect defects such as damaged branches or roots, leaning or unbalanced tree structures, and cracks.

It said it adhered to its tree management plan issued in January 2019, which follows a three-tiered risk assessment approach based on on-site tree conditions.

“If deemed unsatisfactory, further evaluation and mitigation measures such as trimming, root treatment, or felling, as outlined in the DBKL tree management plan, will be implemented,” it said.

DBKL also said it was enhancing the plan, preparing new guidelines on high-risk and aged trees, slated for completion by July 2024.

It added that the tree in Tuesday’s incident fell on private land, making maintenance the landowner’s responsibility.

It said DBKL would assist victims in facilitating claims against the relevant parties through contact with its financial department (03-2617 9509) or legal and prosecution department (03-2617 9236).