KUCHING: Sarawak is blessed with vast greenery and its cities and towns are not an exception.
While the trees are beneficial to the environment and provide an element of green to a bustling city or town, there are risks and concerns on safety of pedestrians, road users and homeowners.
As some of the trees are decades old with possible termites’ infestation, their branches are prone to breaking off and roots being uprooted especially during thunderstorms and strong winds.
With fast paced developments taking place in our towns and cities, these trees are often incorporated as part of the greenery, and they are under the jurisdiction of the respective local councils.
According to Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Datuk Peter Minos, the council’s policy is very much based on both the public’s safety and picturesque landscapes.
He said public safety always comes first, thus if there are tree branches or trunks on the roadside looking like it is holding for dear life, the council will trim and cut it down.
“There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to dealing with trees in our areas, however we will cut down the branches or trunks that pose a risk in the event there are thunderstorms.
“If there are trees or plants that are too bushy, we will trim and landscape it accordingly to ensure it is not an eyesore. As such, we simply monitor, assess and act as needed,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Adding on, Minos disclosed that the council also welcomes and accepts requests for tree cutting and trimming from the residents.
“However, the council will carry out these services based on priority and allocation approved from time to time,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said there is a maintenance routine for trees planted by the council.
He said the tree maintenance works include removing dead, dying, falling or dangerous branches and removal of an entire unhealthy tree.
“Besides that, parasitic plants growing on the trees will also be removed during the maintenance works. These maintenance works are usually carried out yearly with our internal staff and appointed contractors involved,” he said.
Wee concurred that sick and unhealthy trees pose dangers to the public’s safety thus they will be removed accordingly.
“During the maintenance works, we would trim and remove weak, sick and dead branches to improve the tree form to ensure an increased light and air penetration for plants below the tree’s crown as well as for corrective and preventative measures,” he said.
Meanwhile, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council’s tree maintenance works focus on commercial centres, attractions and public areas.
He said the tree maintenance works are carried out by council workers and annual term contractors.
“If examination and observation find that a tree has been infected by fungus or termites, the council will cut it down. If the tree is not infected by parasites, the council will trim it accordingly by using the reducing branches method,” he said.
For any complaint or request on tree cutting and trimming, Lo said the public can get in touch with the council via WhatsApp, hotline, phone, letter, or record by admin.
A random survey by this reporter noticed several areas in the city centre and its outskirts especially in privately-owned and apparently abandoned properties with overgrown trees.
A home-owner near one such huge tree smack in the middle of the city fears for the worst.
“Imagine if on one stormy day, the tree gets uprooted or just fall over, it could cause severe damage to nearby homes as well as the utility (Sesco and telephone) lines. Lives could be lost,” he lamented.
He hopes that the local authority (city council) could look into the issue and either trim or cut down the menacing tree.
