Making a wish: Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan urges people to use the wooden wishing racks when enjoying the Wishing Tree.

Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan says the Wishing Tree at Lam Tsuen in Tai Po is recovering, adding that a series of measures and conservation work have been implemented to conserve the tree.

The Tai Po District Office has stepped up publicity measures during the Lunar New Year to remind visitors to cherish the tree. The Civil Aid Service and the Police have also helped remind visitors not to throw placards on to the tree.

Mrs Tan was pleased that publicity measures had proved effective. Visitors were co-operative and willing to use the wooden wishing racks to make wishes. She called on visitors who wanted to make wishes to place the paper placards onto the Chinese-style wooden racks set up next to the Wishing Tree.

Tree aid

Tai Po District Office, together with the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department and tree experts, have been monitoring the tree and conducting conservation work.

The work includes fertilisation, trimming, protecting aerial roots, grass-cutting, mulching, installing a bracing system and exterminating insects and termites.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department said the tree's health is fair. The number of aerial roots has slightly increased and the tree is recovering slowly.