The Development Bureau has endorsed Maryknoll Convent School's decision to remove a Norfolk Island Pine tree from its campus for safety reasons.

Noting the importance of the tree's preservation, the Government and the school have been discussing the issue since July. The bureau said today it understands the removal decision and will co-operate with the school.

A contractor damaged the tree's main roots during drainage excavation works recently. Experts said its root system had been irreparably damaged and the soil structure supporting the tree had been altered. The tree's health has deteriorated and it has little chance of survival. Its structure has become unstable and poses a collapse risk, endangering people's safety.

The Government and the school have studied the feasibility of constructing emergency and long-term support structures for the tree. However, as construction takes time and there is a risk of the tree toppling over during the construction period, the option was not adopted.

The school will plant a new tree on its campus.