Stone wall trees in Hong Kong 2467732 223655542 2008-07-05T02:58:40Z Lightbot 7178666 Units/dates/other [[Image:HK Kennedy Town Forbes Street w1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Forbes Street, [[Kennedy Town]], Hong Kong]] '''Masonry wall trees''' refer to trees grown from openings in masonry stone [[retaining wall]]s. In alleviating harzards from [[landslide]]s, many slopes adjacent to main roads and developments on [[Hong Kong Island]] in [[Hong Kong]] needed to be secured. Between the 19th century and [[World War II]], the [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Government]] and other contractors constructed masonry stone walls to prevent these hazards. Not until the last two decades have slopes been stabilised through cementing. In early constructed walls, opened joints between stones allowed strong species like [[banyan]]s to sprout. Traffic and human activities carry on notwithstanding the growth of these plants, which further stablise the retaining walls they are growing on. As time goes by, sprouts mature into fully-developed stone wall trees. ==Distribution== As of to date, 1275 stone wall trees are situated on 504 masonry stone retaining walls <ref>[http://www.ecc.org.hk/3cmayinfo8.htm http://www.ecc.org.hk]</ref>, with 110 walls in the [[Central and Western District]], where most walls remain <ref>[http://www.foe.org.hk/welcome/gettc.asp?language=tc&id_path=1,%204,%202485 http://www.foe.org.hk]</ref> in Chinese only, with many others in [[Wan Chai District]]. A majority of these trees have lived for over a century. According to the [[Conservancy Association]], some notable trees are located at:<ref>[http://www.conservancy.org.hk/preleases/walltree/20050710C.htm http://www.conservancy.org.hk]</ref> ===Hong Kong Island=== The largest tree is an over-a-century-old [[Chinese Banyan]] (''Ficus microcarpa''), located in Forbes Street, near Forbes Street Playground. Another tree on [[Bonham Road]] near [[Centre Street (Hong Kong)|Centre Street]] has a height of around 20 metres, the tallest one in the city. ====Central and Western District==== =====Kennedy Town===== *[[Forbes Street]] =====Mid-Levels===== *[[Hollywood Road]] (Former police quarters) *[[Bonham Road]] near [[Centre Street (Hong Kong)|Centre Street]] *Rose Lane *Intersection of Bonham Road and [[High Street, Hong Kong|High Street]] *[[Hospital Road]] near Bonham Road *Opposite of 84 [[Robinson Road]] *St. Stephen's Lane *[[King George V Memorial Park, Hong Kong|King George V Memorial Park]] ====Wan Chai District==== *[[Stubbs Road]] near [[Kennedy Road, Hong Kong|Kennedy Road]] *[[Ship Street, Hong Kong|Ship Street]] (near [[Nam Koo Terrace]]) ===Kowloon=== ====Yau Tsim Mong District==== *Adjacent to aviary pond in [[Kowloon Park]] ====Sham Shui Po District==== '''Lung Chu Street Nullah''' In Lung Chu Street [[Nullah]], there are about 20 wall trees. More than 12 wall trees exist at the site and most of them are [[Chinese Banyan]] and Common Red-stem fig. All of them are mature trees with a height between 3 to 11 metres high. The special one is those Common Red-stem fig. It is a unique phenomenon for those particular wall trees since the majority of wall trees in Hong Kong are Chinese Banyan. It is the only site in Hong Kong, which have a dozen Common Red-stem fig trees in one location, which its buttress root adapted to the condition of the masonry walls. The nullah, therefore, is a scene with special scientific value for further study. Comparing the trees planted in the park next to the nullah, the trees in the nullah are rich in [[biodiversity]]. Various kinds of birds could be find on those trees along the nullah, for example, [[yellow wagtail]] and [[white wagtail]] etc. Besides, the trees around nullah formed a green canopy and functioned as a green lung for the community. For all those years, the trees benefited the community, for example, by minimizing the heat island effect. '''Lai Chi Kok Hospital HACare Home''' There is also a Chinese Banyan growing on the masonry wall next to [[Lai Chi Kok]] hospital, HACare Home. ==Ecological value== In the beginning, [[greenery]] of the site was not taken into consideration during road constructions. Roads built at that time were often narrow and had no space for adding canopy by simply planting trees. Trees naturally emerged from the walls taking up no additional space at ground level, and shield the pathways from heat during the summer. Tall wall trees, especially banyans, also improve air quality by filtering particulates and blocking heat emitted from automobiles and building-wide air conditioning systems, that would otherwise be trapped between skyscrapers, generating [[air pollution]]. [[Biodiversity]] is maintained through these trees by providing habitats for [[birds]] and various [[insects]]. The integrity of the retaining wall is also ensured for these trees cling onto the soil and absorb water from it. It is less likely for such a wall to collapse after excess accumulation of water behind itself. ==Cultural value== Stone wall trees in Hong Kong have become a part of the landscape in communities, as most of them have existed since before World War II. The artistic shapes and endurance of these trees won appreciation from nearby residents, which transform into an indispensable part of the collective memories of the community. Some senior residents believe that the trees can improve ''[[Feng Shui]]'' and bring positive prospects towards the neighbourhood. Wall trees also create a beneficial environment that enables higher property prices around the trees compared to other premises in the area. ==Additional conservations== *[[Ding Tomb]] among the [[Ming Dynasty Tombs]], [[Beijing]] *[[Ming Dynasty]] walls in [[Yuexiu Park]], [[Guangzhou]] ==See also== * [[Conservancy Association]] ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== *[http://www.conservancy.org.hk/ The Conservancy Association] [[Category:Conservation in Hong Kong]] [[zh:香港石牆樹]]