The Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today that it removed two withered old trees at Sai Yee Street Garden in Mong Kok to ensure public safety.

The trees removed, Tabebuia donnell-smithii, are listed on the Register of Old & Valuable Trees. The health of both trees was found to be deteriorating by the department, with sparse tree crown density and twigs dieback since 2015.

Since then, the department had all along carried out enhanced maintenance and regular health inspections on the trees. However, their health condition had not improved.

After conducting on-site tree inspections in April and May this year, the department confirmed that the trees were withered. While the trees did not pose an imminent danger, they had a potential risk of collapse.

The department then installed temporary supports to prevent the trees from falling and consulted the Yau Tsim Mong District Council about removing them.

The Development Bureau's Greening, Landscape & Tree Management Section informed the Urban Forestry Advisory Panel of the proposal to fell the trees.

The trees were therefore removed today for the sake of public safety, and the department will replant two Tabebuia chrysantha at the location.

The department reiterated that it will continue to adopt a prudent approach in inspecting and managing trees under its care, and removal of problematic trees will be undertaken only when no other viable risk mitigation measure is available.