Gist of the Eighteenth Meeting held on 18 April 2016

1. The GLTMS had been working closely with representatives of the related professional bodies, industry associations and labour unions to stand united and positively build capacity in the arboriculture and horticulture industry. The purpose was two-fold - to align education and practice of the industry; and to raise the professional standing of the industry to promote quality performance and the career prospects of practitioners in the long run. The GLTMS had recently solicited support from the Education Bureau (EDB) and Qualifications Framework (QF) Secretariat on establishing an Industry Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) under the QF and developing the Specifications of Competence Standards (SCS) for the arboriculture and horticulture industry. An industry wide consultation would be launched in June 2016 by the QF Secretariat to facilitate the setting up of the ITAC. Members fully supported the initiative and were encouraged to take part in the formal announcement in due course.
2. Members noted the GLTMS's effort in locating suitable practical grounds for arboriculture training and holding related activities.
3. The GLTMS briefed Members that a trial scheme on Tree Triage System would be implemented from May to October 2016 at Kowloon Park. A sample of the "Tree Tag" was tabled. A total of 15 "Red" trees were identified based on the Triage criteria set out in the TRAM Guidelines. A review would be conducted in November.
4. To enhance biodiversity in the city through strategic street tree planting and management over the short, medium and long-term, a multi-disciplinary consultancy study was recently engaged to review and formulate a practical guide in selecting tree species suitable and appropriate to different typical landscape typologies in Hong Kong. Members were invited to provide information on overseas exemplary case studies or reference guide on similar subject.
5. The GLTMS thanked Members' comments on the Handbook on Tree Management. The finalized version would be promulgated soon and a variety of publicity programmes would be launched.
6. Members agreed that Brown Root Rot (BRR) disease was known to be incurable in Hong Kong and therefore the prevention of its spreading was the most important. They in-principle agreed to the removal of the 16 OVTs infected with BRR disease while reminding the GLTMS and the tree management departments of the importance of adequate publicity before removal to manage the public expectation and avoid public discontentment. To adopt a more prudent and firmer stance on prevention, control, containment and enforcement of BRR disease, the GLTMS was developing a comprehensive package to strengthen government's position on this disease. It would be beneficial for arboriculture practitioners ranging from management level to frontline staff. It would also save the urban forestry assets which would be beneficial for the public.
7. The GLTMS informed Members that the pruning guidelines would further be refined to three different types: (a) Pruning for inclement weather was to conduct pruning before the storm to reduce the risk of tree failure; (b) Maintenance Pruning was to clean, thin, reduce and/or raise the tree crown; and (c) Structural Pruning was to maintain the balance of the tree. It would provide a more comprehensive and understandable guide to the government departments and the private sector as well as the general public.
8. The GLTMS advocated that one of the key policy initiatives was the biodiversity in the city that leverage the mainstreaming of biodiversity as the platform to shift from mono-cultured thematic planting to an enriched urban ecology. The GLTMS would further work it out with more details for discussion.
9. Members noted that the GLTMS would put focus on the study of soil science as soil, as a medium for plant growth, played a very important part in urban forestry management
10. The GLTMS thanked Members for their kind assistance in giving talks at seminars in the coming months. The arboriculture practitioners and the general public would definitely be benefited from the rich and valuable knowledge of the Members.
11. Members welcomed the proposal of 'Enhancement of Vegetated Slopes of Highways Department (Phased Replacement of Senescent Acacia)' implemented by Highways Department (HyD).
12. HyD briefed Members of their study on 'Risk Ranking Assessment for Stonewall Trees Management' which comprised multi-disciplinary professionals to derive a new approach for stonewall trees management based on risk assessment. Members made comment and suggested to further explore the issue at a separate meeting.