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Fresh start creates park art

May 22, 2016

Handicraft handyman

Handicraft handyman:  Senior Artisan Ching Tat-man brings dead wood back to life by making furniture, signs and sculptures.

Wooden wonders

Wooden wonders:  Fallen tree logs have been turned into animal-shaped playsets.

Return to earth

Return to earth:  Branches are stockpiled to decompose and fertilise the soil.

No waste

No waste:  Senior Field Officer Mike Wong says recycling fallen trees is a great way to reuse natural resources.

To enhance the ecological value of Hong Kong's country parks the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has carried out the Plantation Enrichment Project in recent years.

 

The project involves the thinning of withering and aging trees, and replacing them with suitable seedlings for the sustainable development of plantation areas.

 

Wood waste produced in the project is then turned into facilities and fertiliser for the parks.

 

Second generation

Department Senior Artisan Ching Tat-man works in the Tai Tong Country Park workshop.

 

He brings dead wood back to life by turning it into furnishings, signage and sculptures.

 

He's created everything from picnic tables and chairs, to park benches and animal-shaped playsets.

 

With more than 30-years' experience, Mr Ching can quickly decide what to make from a piece of wood, according to its length, width and shape.

 

"First we remove the bark from the logs. Then we use a trimming machine to create mouths, eyes and feet for the animal sculptures.

 

"Reusing tree logs serves a dual purpose: it is environmentally-friendly and provides visitors with eco-chic furniture to rest on during walks or hikes. I feel satisfied when people appreciate my work."

 

Home refurbishment

But not all the timber recovered is suitable for crafting in the workshop.

 

The leftovers are stockpiled to provide habitats for small animals, insects and fungi. Some are made into artificial bird's nests for the parks' avian residents.

 

Over time the stockpiled logs decompose and release their nutrients back into the ecosystem.

 

Department Senior Field Officer Mike Wong said recycling fallen trees is a great way to reuse natural resources and cut down on waste.

 

"Branches and logs create a home for animals. This is a method of recycling.

 

"The nutrients released from the decomposed branches is absorbed by other plants. There is no waste at all."



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