Decaying trees in Orchard cut

Straits Times 27 Jul 10;

TWO Angsana trees that have stood outside Liat Towers in Orchard Road for more than 30 years were chopped down yesterday after showing signs of decay.

The National Parks Board (NParks) decided to fell the 20m-tall trees following a routine inspection, to lessen the risk of an accident in an area which sees heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

The extent of the decay was confirmed after a detailed inspection using a decay detection drill, said Mr Simon Longman, director of streetscape at NParks.

Last month, there were 240 incidents in which branches or entire trees fell, largely due to bad weather such as strong winds and heavy rain.

Last Tuesday, a man was crushed to death in his car when a rain tree was uprooted and fell onto his car.

DARYL CHIN