KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is improving the Shade Tree Management Plan, as well as preparing new guidelines for old and high-risk trees.

In a statement on Friday, it said that although the new guidelines are expected to be ready in July, the monitoring of trees that are of high-risk will continue to be carried out, taking into account the aspects of environmental preservation and conservation.

According to DBKL, so far, a total of 175 trees have been identified as high-risk, the majority of which are over 50 years old.

“Of the total, 147 have been cut down. DBKL, through an appointed contractor, has been conducting inspections on trees that are over 30 years old, or with a circumference exceeding 1.5 metres around Kuala Lumpur since 2019.

“Certified arborists have conducted regular inspections, with the most recent one in February 2024, and have identified 28 (high-risk) trees that will be felled soon,” it said.

High-risk trees are those with a high potential of experiencing structural failure and falling, and assessments of tree risk will take into account the physical condition of the tree on-site.

“If the condition of the trees is unsatisfactory, further assessment will be conducted, and mitigation actions such as pruning, root treatment or tree removal will be implemented,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, DBKL extended its condolences to the families of the victims involved in the incident in which a huge tree fell at Jalan Sultan Ismail on Tuesday (May 7).

Victims seeking assistance with claims against relevant parties may contact DBKL’s finance department at 03-2617 9509, or its legal and prosecution department at 03-2617 9236.

In the 2pm incident on Tuesday, one man died and two others were injured after a huge tree fell onto the road and the monorail track, pinning down 17 vehicles. 

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