KUALA LUMPUR: A botany expert is calling for clearer regulations to manage trees effectively, as well as more involvement of arborists in urban planning.
Dr Saw Leng Guan said that while there are already guidelines from the National Landscape Department on how to treat trees, he believed the guidelines were insufficient.
He said there was a need for stringent codes, similar to those in Singapore and Hong Kong to prevent incidents of falling trees, which are becoming increasingly common due to changing weather patterns.
"With the change in weather pattern, the situation may worsen in time to come," he told the New Straits Times.
Saw said a major factor which contributes to incidences of uprooted trees was the way "we treated our big trees."
He highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate green space around old trees to ensure they receive sufficient water, nutrients, and oxygen.
He said paving over green areas can lead to the gradual decline of these trees and increase the risk of them falling.
"Above ground, everything looks nice. But underground, we cannot see what is happening. We don't realise these old trees, which are living things, can't get enough water, nutrients and even oxygen.
He said the recent tragedy on Jalan Sultan Ismail, where a tree fell on a car and claimed a life, underscores the urgency of this issue.
"It is surrounded by cemented pavement and roads.
"Over time and many years after, this particular tree started to wither away and hence the fateful incident," he said.
He said regular pruning is also crucial for tree health, allowing new roots to replace old ones.
Saw said better involvement of arborists in urban planning was also needed.
"What is happening in many cases is the absence of an arborist to advise on how to treat trees to cater for urbanisation," he added.