Appendix F
Tree Information included in App. D of Approved EIA Report
Appendix D
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
APPENDIX D
Landscape and Visual
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
Appendix D
APPENDIX D1
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project for the
Footpath and Tower Hides at Mai Po Marshes in DD 104
Updated Tree Survey Report (Issue 1)
Appendix D
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D1-1
1 BACKGROUND
1.1 Project Background
1.1.1 AEC Limited (AEC) has been commissioned to conduct an updating tree survey for Mai Po Nature Reserve
Infrastructure Upgrade Project for the proposed footpath and tower hides at Mai Po Marshes in D.D. 104
(hereinafter referred to as “the Project”). A tree survey was previously conducted in February 2017 and
January 2019 for all existing trees within the survey area for the Project to support a planning application
(Urbis Limited, 2019). This Report has been prepared to survey and update the existing tree conditions for
the Project.
1.2 Site Context
1.2.1 The Site is located within Mai Po Marshes in D.D. 104. It is designated as the Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) in the current Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) S/YL-MP/6 – Mai Po & Fairview Park.
1.2.2 The Project involves upgrading of an existing footpath and construction of two tower hides (namely Tower
Hide 2 and Tower Hide 3), and the associated access to these new tower hides.
1.3 Relevant Legislations, Guidelines, Database and Publications
1.3.1 In preparing this Report, references for tree survey methodologies and evaluation of each surveyed tree
were made based on the following technical guidelines and publications:
Lands Department Lands Administration Office’s Practice Note Issue No. 2/2020 on Tree Preservation
and Removal Proposal for Building Development in Private Projects – Compliance of Tree
Preservation Clause under Lease and the Guidance Notes;
Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No.5/2020 – Registration and Preservation of Old
and Valuable Trees;
Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 6/2015 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard
Landscape Features;
Guidelines promulgated by the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of Development
Bureau, particularly ‘Guidelines on Tree Preservation during Development’;
Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Conservation Branch, Nature Conservation
Practice Note No.2/2006 – Measurement of Diameter at Breast Height (DBH);
Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Conservation Branch, Nature Conservation
Practice Note No.3 – The Use of Plant Names;
Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong (Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department,
2003);
Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap.96) and Forestry Regulations; and
Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586).
1.4 Tree Assessment Criteria
1.4.1 Each identified tree was assigned a tree reference number and surveyed individually in accordance with
the tree survey assessment criteria listed in Table 1.
Appendix D
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D1-2
Table 1 Tree Assessment Criteria
Tree Survey Assessment Criteria
Explanation
Tree No.
The identification number as marked on the tree tag/plate attached to the tree
being surveyed is recorded. Tree(s) in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees
would be highlighted with their
registration numbers.
Species
Scientific Name
Guidance on proper use of scientific name of plants is given in the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s Nature
Conservation Practice Note No.3
Chinese Name
Origin
The origin (native/exotic) of the species of the surveyed tree as
indicated in “the Flora of Hong Kong Vol.1-4”
Measurements
Height (m)
Height of a tree was measured from 'soil level at tree root collar', which is the
level of the base of a tree trunk, to the uppermost of tree crown. The
measurement made reference to the
topographical survey performed by a separate land surveyor.
DBH (mm)
DBH of a tree refers to its diameter at breast height (i.e. measured at 1.3m
above ground level). Guidance on DBH measurement is given in the
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s Nature Conservation
Practice Note No.2. The measurement made reference to the topographical
survey performed by a separate land surveyor.
Crown Spread (m)
Spread of a tree was defined by the outermost branches of a tree. The
measurement made reference to the topographical survey
performed by a separate land surveyor.
Amenity Value
(High/ Medium/ Low)
Amenity value of a tree was assessed by its functional values for shade,
seasonal interest, screening, reduction of pollution and noise and also its fung
shui significance, and classified into the following categories:
- High (H): Trees that provide significant functional values and/or significant
fung shui value.
- Medium (M): Trees that provide moderate functional values.
- Low (L): Trees that provide slight or negligible functional values.
Form
(Good/ Fair/ Poor)
Form of a tree was assessed by its physical growth form, and classified into
the following categories:
- Good (G): Trees with balanced form, upright trunk and a good crown
spread.
- Fair (F): Trees of reasonable form and crown spread.
- Poor (P): Trees with imbalanced form, canopy lopsided, serious leaning
trunk or crooked tree trunk.
Health Condition
(Good/ Fair/ Poor)
Health condition of a tree was assessed by its foliage density cover or the
presence and severity of visible defects, and classified into the following
categories:
- Good (G): Trees in good health condition without signs of visible defects.
- Fair (F): Trees of reasonable health and with few or no visible defects of
health problems.
- Poor (P): Trees in poor health conditions (e.g. suffered from severe stress,
disease, insect/pest infection, thin foliage density cover or dieback of
canopy).
Structural Condition
(Good/ Fair/ Poor)
Structural condition of a tree was assessed by its structural integrity and risks
of failure due to structural configuration, and classified into the following
categories:
- Good (G): Trees without observable significant structural risks.
- Fair (F): Trees of average structural configuration.
- Poor (P): Trees of poor structural configuration, such as heavy leaning,
bending, overhanging broken branch, etc.
Anticipated Survival
Rate after
Transplanting
(High/ Medium/
Low)
Assessment took into account conditions of an individual tree at the time of
survey (including health, structure, age and root conditions), site
conditions (including topography and accessibility), and intrinsic characters of
tree species (survival rate after transplanting).
Appendix D
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D1-3
Tree Survey Assessment Criteria
Explanation
Remarks
Major determining factors for the rating on suitability for transplanting,
including but not limited to:
- Low amenity value,
- Poor health, structure and form,
- Irrecoverable form after transplanting (e.g. transplanting requires
substantial crown and root pruning),
- Low chance of survival upon transplanting,
- Undesirable species (e.g. Leucaena leucocephala which is an invasive,
exotic and self-seeding tree), or
- Trees grown under poor conditions which have limited the formation of
proper root ball necessary for transplanting.
Recommendation
(Retain / Transplant/ Remove)
Retain:
- Retain all tree(s) at its/their existing location(s) as far as practicable.
Transplant:
- If preservation is not practicable, transplant the affected tree(s) to other
permanent location(s) within the project site or the maintenance area to
minimise loss of vegetation in the local environs, or
- If both preservation and local transplanting are not practicable,
transplant the affected tree(s) to other permanent location(s), which
would preferably be in adjacent areas in order to maintain its/their
amenity value to the neighbourhood.
Remove:
- If preservation and transplanting is unsuitable or impracticable,
- The tree has been irreparably damaged by inclement weather,
- Dead tree(s), or
- Any other justifications or circumstances.
Remarks
Any additional information deemed necessary for consideration of
the proposed management recommendation
Appendix D
D1-4
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
2 FINDINGS OF THE TREE SURVEY
2.1 General
2.1.1 The updating tree survey was conducted 3
rd
, 8
th
, 9
th
, 10
th
, and 15
th
of March 2021 by the Certified Arborist
of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Ms. LEUNG Pui-chi (HK- 0060A). Tree data is valid for 2
years from the date(s) of survey.
2.1.2 In the previous tree survey conducted in January 2019 (Urbis Limited 2019), a total of 336 no. of trees were
identified and surveyed, including 6 no. of dead trees. This updating tree survey conducted in March 2021
reviewed and re-surveyed these previous 336 nos. trees, among which 10 nos. trees (including 4 no. trees
previously identified as dead trees) were missing during the updating tree survey. An addition of 57 nos.
trees were identified during this updating tree survey. Based on this updating tree survey, a total of 383 nos.
existing trees were identified and surveyed within the survey area of the Project, including 9 nos. dead
trees.
2.1.3 The surveyed trees within the tree survey area are indicated in the Tree Survey Plan in Figure 1. Detailed
conditions of each surveyed tree are described in the Tree Assessment Schedule in Appendix 1.
Photographs of the surveyed trees are shown in Appendix 2.
2.2 Tree Species Composition and Conditions
2.2.1 A total of 22 nos. tree species were identified, including 7 nos. native species, 15 nos. exotic species, and
unidentified dead trees. Of the total 383 nos. trees surveyed, 261 nos. trees belong to native species, 113
nos. belong to exotic species, and 9 nos. are dead trees.
2.2.2 Table 2 summarizes the tree species composition within the tree survey area. The most dominant tree
species are the native tree Celtis sinensis (66 nos. or 17.2%), and the exotic trees Melia azedarah (53 nos.
or 13.8%) and Casuarina equitifolia (51 nos. or 13.3%).
Table 2 Summary of Tree Species Composition
Scientific Name
Chinese
Common Name
Origin
Number of
Trees
% of Trees
1
Albizia lebbeck
大葉合歡
Exotic
5
1.3%
2
Artocarpus heterophyllus
菠蘿蜜
Exotic
1
0.3%
3
Bridelia tomentosa
土蜜樹
Native
2
0.5%
4
Casuarina equisetifolia
木麻黃
Exotic
51
13.3%
5
Celtis sinensis
朴樹
Native
66
17.2%
6
Cerbera manghas
海杧果
Native
34
8.9%
7
Dead tree
死樹
N.A.
9
2.3%
8
Dimocarpus longan
龍眼
Exotic
1
0.3%
9
Ficus microcarpa
細葉榕
Native
10
2.6%
10
Ficus subpisocarpa
筆管榕
Native
31
8.1%
11
Ficus virens
大葉榕
Native
1
0.3%
12
Heritiera littoralis
銀葉樹
Native
4
1.0%
13
Hibiscus tiliaceus
黃槿
Native
39
10.2%
Appendix D
D1-5
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
Scientific Name
Chinese
Common Name
Origin
Number of
Trees
% of Trees
14
Ilex rotunda
鐵冬青
Native
1
0.3%
15
Kandelia obovata
秋茄樹
Native
17
4.4%
16
Litchi chinensis
荔枝
Exotic
1
0.3%
17
Litsea glutinosa
潺槁樹
Native
3
0.8%
18
Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa
血桐
Native
34
8.9%
19
Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana
白千層
Exotic
1
0.3%
20
Melia azedarach
楝
Exotic
53
13.8%
21
Morus alba
桑
Native
1
0.3%
22
Sapium sebiferum
烏桕
Native
15
3.9%
23
Sterculia lanceolata
假蘋婆
Native
3
0.8%
Total
383
100.0%
2.2.3 The general tree conditions (except the dead trees) were fair to poor.
2.3 Trees of Particular Interest
2.3.1 No tree of particular interest was surveyed. No registered Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) were recorded in
this tree survey according to the Register of Old and Valuable Trees (last update in April 2020). No protected
tree species were recorded.
3 IMPACT TO EXISTING TREES ON SITE AND TREE RECOMMENDATION
3.1.1 All the existing trees surveyed are all located alongside the existing footpath or unpaved access. The original
concrete footpath was designed not to affect any existing trees. The proposed upgrading works to the
footpaths and access to the new tower hides will not require tree felling. The new boardwalks will be above
the existing concrete footpaths which are retained in-situ. All boardwalks will be constructed of durable
treated timer pre- fabricated concrete footings. The works will be of manual labour with hand-held power
tools, hammers, etc.
3.1.2 All the existing trees will be retained and preserved on site. Proposed treatment to the surveyed trees are
listed in the Tree Assessment Schedule in Appendix 1.
4 TREE PROTECTION MEASURES
4.1.1 For trees to be retained, proper tree protection measures shall be enforced during construction stage to ensure
no trees are adversely affected by the works. Tree protection measures will be based on the following technical
guidelines and publications:
Section 25 of General Specification for Building (2017 edition);
Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 4/2020 – Tree Preservation;
“Tree Care during Construction” (Development Bureau);
“Pictorial Guide for Tree Maintenance” (Development Bureau);
“Design for Tree Protection Zone” (Greening, Lands and Tree Management Section, Development
Bureau);
Best Management Practices (Managing Trees During Construction);
BS 3998: 2010 Recommendations for Tree Work;
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D1-6
Appendix D
BS 4043: 1989 Recommendations for transplanting root-balled trees;
BS 4428: 1989 Code of practice for general landscape operations (excluding hard surfaces);
BS5837: 2012 Trees in related to Construction; and
American National Standard for Tree Care Operations (Revision of ANSI A300 (Part 5)- 2005) – Tree,
Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Management- Standard Practices (Management of Trees and Shrubs
During Site Planning , Site Development, and Construction).
5 CONCLUSION
5.1.1 An updating tree survey was conducted in March 2021 to survey and update the conditions of existing trees
in the tree survey area for the Project. A total of 383 nos. trees were surveyed, including 9 nos. of dead
trees. Except for the dead trees, all the trees were in fair to poor conditions. All the surveyed trees are
located alongside the existing footpaths. The new boardwalks will be above the existing concrete footpaths
which will be retained. The upgrade works does not require tree felling and all the surveyed trees will be
retained in- situ.
Appendix D
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
APPENDIX D2
Phased Construction Traffic and Visitor Routes During
Construction and Operation
Appendix D
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D2-1
Phasing of Work for AFCD Path and TH3
Construction and Visitor Routing: April to September 2022 (6 months)
New TH3
AFCD Warden Post
New TH2
Existing TH1
Hide 8
Footpaths
MPEC
Construction
Visitor Route
Construction Traffic
2m-high Hoarding/
Screening
Apr-May 2022 Foundation
Sep-Oct 2022 Superstructure
New TH2
Apr-May 2022 Foundation
Sep-Oct 2022 Superstructure
New TH3
AFCD Warden Post
Existing TH1
Hide 8
Footpaths
MPEC
Apr-May 2022
Sep 2022
Sep – Oct 2022
Construction Traffic
Appendix D
EIA REPORT VOLUME III: APPENDICES
Mai Po Nature Reserve Infrastructure Upgrade Project
Prepared for World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong
SMEC Internal Ref. 7076457 D05
20 October 2021
D2-2
Construction and Visitor Routing: September – October 2022 (2 months)
Visitor Routing: November 2022 Onwards
New TH2
New TH3
AFCD Warden Post
Existing TH1
Hide 8
Footpaths
MPEC
New Footpath
Original Visitor Route
New TH3
AFCD Warden Post
New TH2
Existing TH1
Hide 8
Footpaths
MPEC
New Footpath
Construction Visitor
Route Construction
Traffic
2m-high Hoarding/
Screening