DBKL identifies 28 high-risk trees to be felled in the city

– Photo courtesy of Onyx IES staff

IN its latest periodic inspection, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)-appointed certified arborists have identified 28 trees in the city as high risk, and will be felled soon.

City Hall said in a statement that the authority has been conducting inspections on trees aged over 30 years or with a circumference exceeding 1.5 meters around Kuala Lumpur since 2019.

“So far, a total of 175 trees have been identified as high risk where most of the trees exceed 50 years old.

“Out of this number, 147 trees have been felled.

“Our latest tree inspection in February had identified 28 high-risk trees in the city and they will be felled soon,” said the statement.

DBKL added that these high-risk trees are identified through the use of resistographs, picus tomographs or visual assessments to detect defects such as damaged or decayed branches or roots, leaning or unbalanced tree structures, and cracks in branches and tree bases.

“High-risk trees refer to those with a high potential for structural failure and falling.

“Remedial actions such as pruning, crown reduction, selective pruning as well as felling will be taken if necessary,” said the statement.

DBKL also said it utilises the DBKL Shade Tree Management Plan that was published in January 2019.

“This plan was formulated with reference to various agencies such as the National Landscape Department, Malaysian Arborist Association, Malaysian Forestry Research Institute (FRIM), Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM), Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.

“Tree risk assessment involves three stages by taking into account the physical condition of the trees on-site.

“If the physical condition of the trees is unsatisfactory, further assessment will be conducted.

“Subsequently, mitigation actions such as pruning, root treatment or felling will be done as outlined in the DBKL Shade Tree Management Plan,” the statement said.

On May 7, a giant 50-year-old tree fell on Jalan Sultan Ismail, killing one man and injuring two others, besides damaging 17 vehicles and disrupting monorail services.

DBKL clarified that the fallen tree was located on private land and maintenance came under the landowner’s responsibility.

“Based on the approved Landscape Development Plan in 2022, this tree was on private land and designated for preservation.

“For the affected victims, DBKL will assist in facilitating any claims to the appropriate parties,” the statement said.

DBKL also reiterated that monitoring work on high-risk trees is continuously carried out, taking into account safety issues including environmental preservation and conservation aspects.

DBKL is also improving the ShadeTree Management Plan and preparing new guidelines on aged and high-risk trees, which are expected to be completed by July 2024.

For details on claims, call 03-2617 9509 (Finance Department) or 03-2617 9236 (Legal and Prosecution Department).