Gist of the Third Meeting held on 29 February 2012

1. Development of the Tree Management Information System (TMIS)
   • Members were briefed on the background and objectives of TMIS which was a central repository of tree inventory of individual tree management departments. It would provide an overview of tree information to TMO as well as to assist and support departments in tree risk assessment and management arrangements, facilitating scheduling and management of inspection and follow up actions. The information collected would also assist TMO in central monitoring, reporting and analysis to identify potential risk factors of tree failure.
2. Report on Tree Failure Cases from Government Departments
   • Members were briefed on the background and objective of setting up the database. A centralized Tree Failure Database was set up in July 2010 as a result of some tree failure incidents that aroused public concern. Its objective was to collect information of tree failure cases from government departments with a view to analyzing systemic issues that would help in preventing recurrence of similar incidents.
   • Members provided views to further enhance the database for analysis.
3. Review on Training on Tree Risk Assessment (TRA) and Management provided by TMO
   • Members were presented with the review on training on tree risk assessment and management provided by TMO. In early 2010, TMO introduced a set of tree risk assessment and management arrangement for implementation by the tree management departments. In parallel, TMO also organised a series of TRA training courses and workshops to equip staff of tree management departments and consultants/contractors engaged in government projects before the rainy season with knowledge of promulgated guidelines for effective implementation of TRA exercise. In response to the recommendations of the Coroner's Court arising from the death inquest into the Yuen Chau Kok incident, the current TRA training programme was enhanced with course end assessment.
   • Members supported the enhancement and suggested refinement to both the course content and format of the assessment.
4. Draft Guidelines on Arboriculture Occupational Safety and Health
   • Members were introduced draft guidelines which seek to promulgate the importance of safety and health issues to all personnel involved in arboriculture. The guidelines made reference to relevant regulations, ordinance, and best management practices in the international arena.
   • Members provided their views on the draft guidelines.
5. Tree Case : LCSD SSP/16 at Wistaria Road, Kowloon Tong
   A site inspection of the tree was conducted
   • LCSD briefed Members on-site of the history, conditions and their treatment of the subject tree (LCSD SSP/16). The tree was found seriously leaning and its stability was closely monitored by LCSD.
   • Members suggested remedial measures to improve the structural and health condition of the subject tree and also close monitoring of the leaning situation.