The book underlines characteristics of hazardous trees which will help to raise awareness of potential concerns among the local town councils and public. This book is illustrated by 55 colour photographs and a glossary on arboricultural terms.
There is no standard method or guideline to evaluate hazardous trees in Malaysia. Yet such information is fundamental in our effort to green urban areas in Malaysia. This book provides a hands-on approach to especially tree workers from local town councils in identifying hazardous trees so as to provide a safe environment for people and property.
A tree is considered hazardous if it possesses any structural defect and is associated with a target such as building, vehicle, pavement or picnic area where people and property are present. All trees planted along pavements, under utility lines, in plazas, squares, parks and housing estates are potentially hazardous because they are likely to come into contact with the public and property.
Structural defects are visible signs of defects on trees. The defects can be dead wood, cracks, weak branch, decay, cavities, root problems or poor tree architecture.
Structural defects occur as a consequence of poor aboricultural practices such as improper pruning method, poor species selection and lack of expertise in local town councils responsible for tree management.
Besides structural defects, site conditions can also make a tree potentially hazardous. For example trees located under utility lines, tree branches which obstruct the vision of motorists or trees growing along sidewalks which uplift the slabs of pavements.
