Removed trees at Pasir Ris were in poor form

Prone to brittle branches, which could snap and fall on passers-by
Today Online 27 Feb 08;

Letter from Michael Ngin
Public Relations Manager
Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council

WE REFER to the letters, "Felled old trees were pride of quaint neighbourhood" and "They were healthy — why cut them down?" (Feb 26) by Ms Ong Siew Khim and Mr David Law, on the matter of removing casuarina equisetifolia trees along Elias Road.

We would like to thank Ms Ong and Mr Law for their feedback. We understand and share their disappointment over the felling of these trees, but it is essential for us to proceed with the removal in view of public safety.

Casuarinas trees are susceptible to basal/trunk rot and brittle branches. In our routine horticultural maintenance, we have also discovered regular snap branches and hairline cracks on the trunks of these casuarinas. Due to the casuarinas' characteristics, we are also unable to carry out corrective trimming, unlike other trees.

Contrary to the personal opinion offered by our contractor (landscape supervisor), our certified arborists have examined the 27 casuarinas within the mentioned precinct and identified 11 of them in poor form, having bad lean and sited close to pedestrian crossings/footpaths.

Although there is currently no eminent danger, we are taking precautionary measures, which include removal of the trees, to prevent any unfortunate occurrences/incidents to our residents.

You may also wish to know that we have also previously received calls from concerned residents who have witnessed snapping branches and requested for a complete removal of such trees.

However, our arborists' examination has shown that some of them are in good condition, with proper form and structure.

Thus, only those trees which are in poor form and bad lean will be felled.