Planting native species minimises risk of trees, branches falling

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

PUTRAJAYA: Planting native trees on roadsides is seen as a good alternative to minimising the risk of trees or branches falling during bad weather, said National Landscape Department director-general Mansor Mohamad.

He said native trees are inherently from Malaysia and, therefore, compatible with the local environment, weather and soil conditions.

The same species can also be found growing in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Myanmar which share the same climate conditions.

Mansor said when non-native species like mahogany, which is native to Central America, are grown in Malaysia, they may grow more rapidly than they do in their original habitat due to this country’s fertile soil conditions and abundant sunlight.

“But (their rapid growth) can potentially contribute to incidents of trees or branches falling,” he said in an interview recently.

However, he acknowledged that non-native tree species like the rain tree and tecoma, both originally from South America, can be found all over Malaysia as they contribute to biodiversity as well as beautify the areas where they grow.

Malaysia’s native tree species include medang (Actinodaphne glomerata), putat air (Barringtonia racemose), bunga kelat merah (Brackenridgea hookeri) and mata ketam (Campylospermum serratum).

According to Mansor, although planting native trees has its advantages, tree fall incidents are unavoidable due to natural, biological and environmental factors in the areas where they are planted.

History

Tracing the history of tree planting in Malaysia, he said that initially, the British culture of favouring greenery and gardens was assimilated into this country, with the angsana tree being a popular choice for planting on roadsides until the 1990s.

After independence, as more towns opened and infrastructure expanded rapidly, programmes such as ‘No Roads Without Trees’ were introduced.

“The aim was to create greenery in concrete jungles by planting more trees, leading to (the formation of) landscapes featuring various popular tree species like cinnamon, rain tree and bungor (Lagerstroemia speciosa),” Mansor explained.

More initiatives were implemented in support of  Malaysia’s ‘Towards a Garden Nation’ concept, one of the earliest being the inclusion of the Tree Preservation Order in the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).

This was followed by the establishment of the National Landscape Department (JLN) under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in 1996, the publication of guidelines and several manuals on tree management, and the implementation of the Greening Malaysia Programme through the National 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign 2021-2025.

Mansor, who is also well-versed in arboriculture, admitted that in the past, there may have been some “mistakes” in choosing inappropriate tree species for planting on roadsides, leading to JLN publishing a book titled ‘200 Malaysia’s Native Trees for Street Planting’ as a general guide. The book was launched in May.

Photo: Bernama

Tree fall incidents

According to statistics from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, 1,085 incidents of tree falls were recorded nationwide from January to April this year, with the highest number in Selangor at 210 cases, followed by Perak (169) and Sarawak (118). These incidents resulted in four fatalities while 15 people sustained injuries.

In 2023, the department recorded 4,825 tree fall cases with 10 deaths. In 2022, there were 4,751 cases; 2021 (4,793 cases); and 2020 (4,679 cases).

Mansor said every tree planted in the country is considered a long-term investment with the hope that it will last forever. However, the risk of tree falls, involving both native and non-native species, will arise if they are not properly maintained.

“The tree care scheme begins from the moment we plant them. It includes fertilising, watering, pruning and removing damaged branches.

“Therefore, understanding the tree species and appropriate planting methods from the outset is crucial to addressing issues like tree falls,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 339-page ‘200 Malaysia’s Native Trees for Street Planting’, launched by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on May 26, has been distributed to all local authorities nationwide as a guide to improving tree management in urban areas.

Two hundred of 3,000 woody plant species are featured in the book, which also includes specific details on the size categories of trees that can be planted according to the road hierarchy, in line with the principle of ‘the right tree for the right place’.

The 200 best trees for urban landscaping were selected based on their flowering frequency, leaf drop frequency and the flexibility of their tree trunks.

In the small tree category, among the species selected are medang, mata ketam, raja dewa, meribut, kayu arang, and tembusu bukit. The selected species in the medium-size category include putat air, bunga kelat merah and geronggang derum, while the large trees include cinta mula, merawan siput jantan and bungor raya.

“The (size) classification is important because we need to know what kind of species are suitable for a particular planting area, considering that each (type of) tree requires a different ecosystem for its growth,” he said.

Interestingly, the book also features 50 tree species with detailed information on their optimal carbon absorption rates, making them ideal choices for local authorities or others to incorporate in landscaping to minimise or prevent tree fall incidents. The planting of these tree species is also in line with the government’s decarbonisation efforts.

Role of local authorities

Although tree fall incidents are beyond control, Mansor said they can, however, be managed through awareness and planting of appropriate tree species.

“Almost 80 percent of local authorities adhere to proper landscape management (rules) in terms of tree care, but some are unable to follow the proper procedures.

“However, I don’t blame them entirely; they may be facing constraints in terms of budget, human resources or equipment, but it is something that can be improved,” he said.

Mansor also said as Malaysia is rich in biodiversity, optimal tree planting and management strategies indirectly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 11 relating to Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 13 relating to Climate Action.

He also urged the public to be the ‘eyes and ears’ by reporting any unsafe tree or branch in their neighbourhoods to the local authorities. 

(JLN is the national landscape accreditation centre that provides technical expertise as well as plans, coordinates and regulates the country’s landscape development and the need for open spaces, green areas and recreational facilities.)  – BERNAMA