KUALA LUMPUR: Trees in heavily built-up areas should be inspected at least every year to ensure they are in good health, said an aborist.
Managing director of Raintree Arborist, Fariza Firdaus Mohd Salleh said checking on trees in heavy traffic areas every two years was not enough.
"Older trees or those identified with stability issues, such as decay or disturbed roots, might require semi-annual inspections to closely monitor any changes in their condition and structural stability.
"Trees may need more immediate inspections after severe weather events like heavy storms, which could potentially damage them.
"The frequency of inspections should be tailored to the specific requirements of each tree, balancing considerations of public safety, cost, and practicality," she said when contacted by New Straits Times.
However, Fariza conceded that it might not be practical or economically feasible for a local authority overseeing hundreds of trees to inspect them frequently.
She said frequent inspections had high costs, especially when municipal or organisation budgets are limited.
"Though falling trees pose risks, incidents are rare compared with other dangers, so extensive inspections aren't always justified.
"Generally, there are guidelines that should be followed when cutting trees depending on the health of the tree and safety risks to the public.
"Trees that are diseased, dying, or already dead may need to be removed to prevent the spread of disease to nearby trees and to eliminate safety hazards," she added.
Yesterday, an uprooted tree smashed into the KL Monorail track and damaged several cars on Jalan Sultan Ismail, here, killing one man and injuring several others.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa had said earlier today that trees in Kuala Lumpur were checked every two years.
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