Tree care a priority in S’gor

CITY councils of Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang in Selangor will prune tree branches or lop off the uppermost tree canopy to avoid the possibility of branches breaking or trees toppling in a thunderstorm.

Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said urban trees were important as they provided cleaner air and cooled the environment.

“Our Landscape Department is committed and proactive in terms of assessing trees and identifying tree hazards.

“Hazards could arise from dead branches on living trees, dead or dying trees and living trees that are unstable,” he said.

On May 7 during an afternoon thunderstorm, a large tree fell onto 17 vehicles, killing a 47-year-old man and injuring two others along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur.

Mohd Fauzi says MBSJ has attended to 8,000 trees in public areas in 2024.

The incident also disrupted the city’s Monorail services at four stations as some branches had fallen onto the elevated track.

Mohd Fauzi said branches of mature trees that could cause property damage would be trimmed or lopped off.

Yesterday, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) contractors were seen pruning tree crowns that had too much foliage.

“Careful planning had been carried out last year for 2024, where site inspection, inventory preparation and tender management were made in stages.

“Faults noted in the crown, branch, trunk and roots during site inspections have been attended to.”

Mohd Fauzi added that because of changes in weather patterns, the council had allocated extra funds to prune trees in the city.

“From January until May, MBSJ attended to 8,000 trees in public areas with various issues.

“We estimate pruning an additional 7,000 to ensure trees grow in a healthy way,” he said.

Mohd Fauzi added that MBSJ received residents’ complaints regarding dead branches, diseased trees and weak limbs that could be a safety hazard.

“We value the information given and check the condition at site, evaluate the level of risk before a report is filed for further action,” he said.

Similarly, Shah Alam mayor Cheremi Tarman said proactive measures had been carried out in the city.

“Because of the intense rains and strong winds we are experiencing, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) appointed contractors to do tree maintenance, including pruning,” he said.

Cheremi says trees planted about a decade ago have been trimmed.

Cheremi added that trees planted about a decade ago had been trimmed to reduce their overall density as well as stress on the branches.

“We have started an intensive drive across Shah Alam, where added focus will be given to trim trees beside main thoroughfares and residential roads.

“Our Landscape Department will identify tall trees for pruning to avoid incidents like branches falling on street electrical wires, property damage and loss of life,” he said.

Klang mayor Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan agreed that it was important to prune trees during this period.

Noraini added that continuous measures were being taken to identify diseased trees or decayed branches that were likely to cause damage and had them trimmed.

“Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) has allocated RM3mil for tree management in public areas this year.

“We have an in-house team plus work is outsourced to six contractors to prune branches and remove high-risk trees,” she added.