Eight trees have been removed from the Register of Old & Valuable Trees since the promulgation of the register in 2004, Secretary for Development Carrie Lam says, adding the removal had nothing to do with human negligence.

Mrs Lam today told lawmakers the trees included the Chinese Banyan, Coral Tree, Norfolk Island Pine and Pink & White Shower species in Central & Western, Southern and Yau Tsim Mong Districts.

The trees measure 12m to 30m in height with a diameter at breast height of 480mm to 1,700mm. Their estimated ages range from 50 to 100 years.

Tree checks

Noting there are over 500 trees on the register the secretary said the departments concerned conduct regular checks every year to enable early detection of any abnormalities in their growth and to give them immediate treatment as appropriate.

As they may be hurt by pests or knocked down by inclement weather some of them may not survive in spite of all the care they have received.

Meanwhile, the Government has had eight new additions to the register with one each from Eastern, Yau Tsim Mong, Yuen Long and Sha Tin Districts and two each from Kwun Tong and Wan Chai Districts. The species include the India Rubber Tree, Chinese Banyan, Weeping Fig and Ficus Annulata.

To enhance the register's transparency the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will set out the information on trees being added or removed when updating the register and keep District Councils informed.