Pruning done judiciously

Letter from Ang Chiean Hong Assistant Director (Riverine Parks)
National Parks Board
Today Online 28 Sep 09;

We refer to "Don't prune indiscriminately" (Sept 22) and "Not every branch is a threat" (Sept 24). We share their concern for the health of our flora and fauna.

As part of our regular maintenance at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, we are pruning some overhanging branches that could potentially be hazardous to park users. Some shrubs along the paths were trimmed to enhance visibility of the surroundings. Three trees were also removed as they were not healthy.

We will plant more trees and upgrade the directional signboards in conjunction with PUB's Phase 2 of the redevelopment works at the park, which are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.

We thank Mr Chin Kee Thou and Mr Thomas Phua for their feedback. If they have further questions, they are welcome to contact Ms Dorothy Lim at dorothy_lim@nparks.gov.sg.

NParks replies: Pruning contractors' details are displayed
Letter from Simon Longman, Director, Streetscape, National Parks Board
Today Online 1 Oct 09;

We refer to "Put pruning contractors' details public" from Prasanna Ogale on Sep 26.

We share the concern for the health and condition of our trees and thank the writer for the feedback.

NParks has a sound tree safety inspection and maintenance programme in place. To support our team of arborists on scheduled pruning routine works, we work with contractors who must have relevant arboriculture work experience in urban streetscape with good track records of works carried out in Singapore. We also ensure that our contractors go through training so that they are able to assess when and how trees need to be pruned. When in doubt, NParks officers will advise them accordingly.

All pruning works along roads are carried out using lorry cranes to access the works. We do make it a contractual requirement for all our contractors to display conspicuous signs on the tailboard and windscreen of the vehicle when carrying out works under each contract. The signs show the contract reference and vehicle numbers as well as NParks' helpline for the public to call where necessary.

In addition, pruning works are also conducted by other government agencies, depending on the location of the trees. We would like the writer to contact us at 1800-4717300 regarding the location of the mentioned pruning so that we can clarify this matter further.

Don't prune indiscriminately
Letter from Chin Kee Thou, Today Online 23 Sep 09;

A REGULAR visitor to MacRitchie Reservoir Park since 2005, I was flabbergasted by the maintenance work done there recently.

Instead of pruning and trimming the trees, contractors engaged to do the job simply sawed off branches. Spreading branches were cut off, depriving visitors of shade. Several large mature trees, which provided sanctuary for birds, squirrels, monkeys and other creatures were also chopped down.

Shrubs and bushes lining paths, walkways and pavements were trimmed to a low height - leaving only bare branches, some with withered leaves.

Also, a signpost at the foot of the hill leading to the Lim Bo Seng grave site was affixed with three signboards (relocated from elsewhere) showing the directions to the MacRitchie Nature Trail and HSBC Treetop Walk, Paddle Lodge and Fishing Ground and MacRitchie Park; canteen, car park, toilets and public telephone booth. The signs, however, all pointed towards Lornie Road and the flyover.

These lapses are an embarrassment and clearly show a lack of supervision.

The National Parks Board needs to engage contractors with some horticultural knowledge and aesthetic sense to trim the trees and shrubs. Close supervision is needed to keep the park in a decent condition.

Not every branch is a threat
Letter from Thomas S K Phua, Today Online 24 Sep 09;

I REFER to the letter "Don't prune indiscriminately" (Sept 22), by Mr Chin Kee Thou.

The reckless destruction of trees seems to be some kind of a "disease" spreading all over Singapore. At Jurong Lake, many trees have been mutilated and much of their cooling shade is gone. In addition, a lot of the undergrowth where birds and other small animals took shelter has been removed.

I understand that arborists are involved in such decisions. I hope they are concerned about the health of the fauna, and do not just see every leaf lying on the floor, every overhanging branch as a possible danger.

And from what I have seen, there are no arborists around when the trees are cropped - only a bunch of workers with chainsaws who really don't know how to cut a tree sensitively.

Put pruning contractors' details public
Letter from Prasanna Ogale, Today Online 26 Sep 09;

I refer to "Don't prune indiscriminately" (Sept 22) and "Not every branch is a threat" (Sept 24).

I have had very similar experiences about the pruning that is carried out on road side trees, in parking areas and around HDB blocks. The pruning is indiscriminate, done by people who have no idea why and what they are doing. These people are rarely supervised.

Once, I asked some workers to call their supervisor and it took almost 20 minutes before we could get the supervisor on the phone. It took him another three hours to come and see me, and that was only when I told him that I was lodging a complaint against him for not being present at the site. I also found there is no hard and fast rule about which trees are being pruned or chopped down.

In the above case when I protested strongly, the contractor decided not to cut the rest of the trees. Three years on, the trees that have been spared the chainsaw are still growing well.

It should be made a requirement by either the Land Transport Authority or NParks that contractors' names, and contact details be put on a board at the site where any pruning is to be done. Then anybody who has a query can get onto those responsible faster.