Tree Care

Tree maintenance at construction area

Construction site is not a good environment for tree. Environmental changes (such as soil compaction, mechanical damage, air pollution, etc.) due to different construction activities can cause rapid deterioration of tree. Any tree damage or tree failure due to construction activities can result in severe penalty (over $100,000 per tree may be charged or compensatory planting is required). To avoid getting any penalty, proper tree care should be taken.

Common mistakes

Proper tree care

Set up tree protection zone
Using robust fence to cordon off the tree protection zone	Detail briefing to workers for ensuring no tree will be affected by the construction works
Set up clear indicator board to show the area of tree protection zone	Monitoring tree health on a regular basis
Pruning if necessary	Applying mulching

Tree Maintenance in urban area

Urban environment is not the most ideal environment for trees. Without proper tree maintenance, tree failure can be resulted. Proper tree care included species selection, pruning, supporting, regular maintenance, etc. According to the government recommendation, tree assessment should be conducted by certified arborist annually. Our certified arborist is always ready to help.

Species Selection

Different tree species have different tree structure and ultimate tree size. “Right tree in right place” should be carefully considered before planting to maximize the long term greening effect. Advices from certified arborist is valuable and important to make a good decision in greening effect.

Purpose	Requirement	Suggested trees or shrubs
Planting under cover or footbridge	Shade tolerance Drought tolerance Pollutant tolerance Good vitality	Caryota maxima、 Dypsis lutescens、 Rhapis excelsa、 Schefflera arboricola
Planting at open area for shading	Large tree crown Tree form	Ficus microcarpa、 Ficus benjamina、 Michelia x alba、 Pterocarpus indicus、 Cinnamomum camphora
Planting in limited area	Upright tree form Less invasive root system Small tree form	Terminala mantaly、 Sterculia lanceolata、 Magnolia grandiflora、 Cinnamomum burmannii、 Elaeocarpus sp.、 Pongamia pinnata
Planting for educational or ornamental purposes	With attractive flower or fruit Seasonal change Long flowering period	Attractive flower / fruit: Cassia fistula、 Sterculia lanceolata、 Jacaranda mimosifolia、 Koelreuteria bipinnata、 Crateva unilocularis Attractive leaves: Taxodium distichum、 Sapium sebiferum、 Liquidambar formosana

Growth Environment

Trees have different needs and requirements of environment when compared to landscaping plants. Proper tree care is needed to maintain tree health.

	Landscaping vegetation	Tree
Soil depth	Shallow	Deep soil is needed. Tree need sufficient underground space for anchorage.
Irrigation	Frequent	Over irrigation may cause suffocation. Less frequent but more thorough watering is suggested.
Fertilization	Needed	Over fertilization may cause root burnt. Slow-release fertilizer should be used if necessary.
Mulching	No	Mulching with around 3.5 inches thick should be used to keep the soil humidity.
Planting space	Can be densely planted	Spacing of at least 3-4 m is needed. Inadequate planting space Suitable planting space
Planting with other landscaping shrub or ground vegetation densely	Okay	Should be avoided as the densely planted landscaping ground vegetation may hinder the work of tree assessment and may facilitate decay and disease. Competition for the nutrient will also be resulted.
Life span	Short and replacement is needed.	Long and able to reduce the long term greening cost.