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  Straits Times Forum 16 Jun 07
Falling branch in carpark could have caused death
Letter from Ee Wee Kwan

Straits Times 12 Jun 07
NParks has trained arborists to tend to trees
Reply from Dr Leong Chee Chiew
Chief Operating Officer and Commissioner, Parks & Recreation National Parks Board

Straits Times 12 Jun 07
Angsanas and raintrees too tall for comfort
Letter from Thomas Hwang Liang Keng

Straits Times 11 Jun 07
Who looks after trees not under NParks' care?
Letter from Richard Goh Chee Kok

Straits Times 6 Jun 07
NParks to continue to boost tree-maintenance programme
Letter from NParks

Today Online 30 May 07
Fewer trees are falling
NParks staff paying closer attention to defects in trees
Sheralyn Tay

Straits Times 22 May 07
'Docs' do regular checks on one million trees here
By Michelle Neo

Today Online 22 May 07
Time for a health report on S'pore trees
Letter from Jeffrey Law Lee Beng

The report, "Fallen tree was healthy" (May 17), made me wonder if there are, in fact, unhealthy ones out there, too.

Footpaths are invariably lined with fallen trees and twigs after a bout of heavy rain and strong winds. Danger also lurks when dried branches are suspended precariously on top of trees. These may give way and cause injuries to passers-by.

As most of our roads and walkways are lined with trees, we may find it difficult to discern the healthy ones from others.

Perhaps it would be timely if the National Parks Board could notify the public about the health of the trees under its jurisdiction?

No matter the case, one should take the safer route and avoid places that abound with trees during a heavy downpour and strong winds.

Straits Times 22 May 07
'Docs' do regular checks on one million trees here
By Michelle Neo

IT'S a job that keeps the 100 certified 'tree doctors'' of NParks very busy: Conducting regular checks on more than one million trees around the island.

The importance of their work has taken on even greater significance in the wake of the three people who were crushed to death by falling trees.

Last Tuesday, a woman was killed when a tree uprooted and fell on her in Bukit Batok Nature Park. It was the first fatality NParks had ever recorded. On the same day, a trainee teacher was killed on Mount Ophir when a tree fell on the tent in which he was sleeping. On Sunday, another man died in a similar incident at the same place.

To get an early alert of such danger trees, NParks experts conduct visual inspections on trees situated near roads with heavy traffic once every 18 months. Those situated farther away are inspected once every 36 months.

If warning signs are observed, the 'doctors'' return - this time armed with instruments such as tree ultrasound and root radar detectors - to help them determine the extent of the damage.

After the diagnosis, the 'doctors' decide whether to replace the tree, or retain it - albeit applying corrective measures such as pruning and chemical insecticide.

But sometimes healthy trees also succumb to the wind and rain.

To avoid such incidents, NParks replaces trees that are traditionally more prone to snapping or uprooting during windstorms. NParks has also stopped planting pong pong trees despite the shade they offer, because the tree is known to be prone to rotting after pruning.

But given the enormous scale of the job, everyone can help play their part in notifying NParks when they see trees that appear to be in danger of falling.

This is the message from one of Singapore's longest-serving tree experts, Mr Wong Yew Kwan.

'People must inform NParks when they see indications that a tree may be damaged,' said Mr Wong, 74, who served as Singapore's first Commissioner for Parks and Recreation in 1974.

According to Mr Wong, warning signs that a tree or one of its branches may be in danger of falling include rotting bases and trunks and leaning branches.

The public can call 6471-7300 to inform NParks of trees that may be showing signs of stress or damage.

Today Online 30 May 07
Fewer trees are falling
NParks staff paying closer attention to defects in trees
Sheralyn Tay sheralyn@mediacorp.com.sg

The recent series of falling trees that in one instance took the life of a mother of two and damaged property has been worrying, but the National Parks Board (NParks) reassures the public that the number of falling trees and branches has been decreasing significantly over the years.

Singapore recorded a 28 per cent dip in the number of falling trees last year, compared to that in 2005, said Mr Simon Longman, NParks' director of Streetscape, and the incidence has been decreasing since 2000.

Under NParks' care, about 1,030 trees and branches fell last year, much lower than 3,095 in 2000. This is in part due to better training and development, the use of latest technology and improved operational practices, he said.

For example, staff training has increased and NParks now has 100 certified tree doctors, with another 60 working in external agencies and for contractors.

Part of the training involves detecting and attending to "hard to spot" defects in trees. There is a "systematic approach and comprehensive coverage of our trees" in terms of tree inspection and safety inspections, said Mr Longman.

This includes scheduled visual inspections and tree pruning. An improved method called "tree crown reduction" is also used to reduce the weight and risk of falling branches without the loss of greenery.

And should inspectors detect any weaknesses during scheduled checks, technologies such as a decay detection drill are used to investigate the internal structures of the trees. Special sonogram-like devices and a ground penetrating radar help inspectors view the insides of trees or the system of roots.

Prior to monsoon periods, tree pruning and visual inspections are stepped up, said NParks.

Anyone concerned about the trees in his neighbourhood can call the NParks helpline at 1800-4717 300.

Straits Times 6 Jun 07
NParks to continue to boost tree-maintenance programme
Letter from NParks

I REFER to the letters, 'Watch out, falling trees can happen anywhere' and 'Have a more concrete safety plan' (ST, June 4).

Tree maintenance is an area that the National Parks Board (NParks) has been paying a lot of attention to.

In the past six years - through improving our tree-inspection regime, undertaking a comprehensive process of training and certifying our tree experts, bringing in the latest technology, and benchmarking with international best practices - we have reduced the annual rate of fallen trees and tree branches under our charge by 66 per cent.

However, it is not possible to eliminate tree-related accidents altogether.

While serious tree diseases can be diagnosed and brought under control, it is not possible to pinpoint the effects of weather and localised wind movements on the trees.

It is also a challenge to maintain trees in our nature reserves to the same degree as our roadside trees because of limited accessibility and the need to strike a balance with conservation.

We are very saddened by the two recent unfortunate deaths.

We advise members of the public to avoid visiting forested areas during inclement weather and to exercise extra caution if they are caught in forested areas in heavy rain.

We will take measures to increase public awareness in this aspect. We are also looking into additional safety measures, such as increasing the number of rain shelters and instituting periodic closing of trails for maintenance.

The public can be assured that NParks will press on with our efforts to improve our tree-maintenance programme to ensure that our trees are safe.

Dr Leong Chee Chiew
Chief Operating Officer and
Commissioner, Parks & Recreation National Parks Board

Straits Times 11 Jun 07
Who looks after trees not under NParks' care?
Letter from Richard Goh Chee Kok

I REFER to the letter, 'NParks to continue to boost tree maintenance programme' (ST, June 6), by Dr Leong Chee Chiew of the National Parks Board.

I thank him for his kind response and assurances. His comment that 'we have reduced the annual rate of fallen trees and tree branches under our charge by 66 per cent', implies that there are trees not under the charge of NParks.

May I ask him to clarify NParks' position on dealing with potentially dangerous trees not under its purview? How does NParks deal with coconut trees in residential areas, near the kerbs and along paths? Some bear coconuts which dangle precariously and are a potential hazard to pedestrians. Could NParks look into this aspect and other hazards which may not be part of its tree maintenance programme?

As a matter of public interest, if NParks is not responsible for these other trees not included in its programme, it would be comforting to know which government department is responsible for their well-being and ensure they do not pose a hazard to the public.

Straits Times 12 Jun 07
NParks has trained arborists to tend to trees
Reply from Dr Leong Chee Chiew
Chief Operating Officer and Commissioner, Parks & Recreation National Parks Board

I REFER to the letter by Mr Richard Goh Chee Kok, 'Who looks after trees not under NParks' care?' (ST, June 11).

A holistic approach to our tree-maintenance programme is key in creating the City in a Garden. The National Parks Board works closely with other agencies and landowners to advise on tree-care standards.

We have been successfully training and certifying arborists using the acclaimed International Society of Arboriculture framework. The plan is to train even more arborists in Singapore to level up our standards.

Those who seek tree-care expertise can locate and engage certified arborists in the private sector at this website: www.isa-arbor.com.

Where trees are planted by residents along road verges, we will advise the residents to maintain their plantings where necessary. The public can contact our QSM (Quality Service Manager) Helpline on 1800-471-7300 for any feedback or assistance.

Straits Times 12 Jun 07
Angsanas and raintrees too tall for comfort
Letter from Thomas Hwang Liang Keng

A GROUP of trees which have been nourished and kept growing to great heights is beginning to pose a danger to the public. These are the angsanas and raintrees that were grown many years ago, not as saplings but as stem cuttings.

Over the years, contractors have been pruning them to 'encourage' growth upwards and not limiting their heights nor allowing them to spread sideways. The main branches have grown bigger, stronger and heavier than the main trunks in many instances.

It defies logic how such trees could still maintain their balance, let alone stability. Most of these trees are grown at roadsides with very little base areas for their roots to spread.

One example is the angsanas along MacPherson Road between Happy Avenue and Upper Aljunied Road. These trees have grown beyond 12m - 12m is the height I reckon should be ideal for roadside trees.

The clearance from road level to the lowest branch being 5m (for vehicles to pass under), allowing the remaining 7m for the crown would provide reasonable shade. Anything higher could pose a danger to road users.

I have observed contractors pruning trees and wondered whether they were doing it to get the trees to grow taller for lumber or for the safety of the public. Do they know that they should prune from the top down for taller trees?

Straits Times Forum 16 Jun 07
Falling branch in carpark could have caused death
Letter from Ee Wee Kwan

THE recent incidents in which falling tree branches killed two people may not be the last. On Monday, a branch the size of a small tree fell, not in a remote nature reserve but in the hugely popular open-air carpark next to Wheelock Place, and this during lunchtime. It blocked a segment of the carpark for hours.

There was neither heavy rain nor strong wind, only a drizzle. If a drizzle could cause a branch that size to fall, I believe the National Parks Board's tree-maintenance programme is not working well.

We can try to be more alert at nature reserves but it is impossible to be alert all the time everywhere we go.

It is now not just about keeping our city pretty but also about preventing further deaths.
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