by Ganesh Sahathevan
The Government Of Singapore's National Parks (NParks) owns and manages a geographical information system (GIS) powered catalogue of some 1.3 million trees in the country.
In the ongoing Ridout Road BW house rental drama the issue of the felling of some 19 trees in a government owned property became an issue.
Legitimate concerns on trees' health: Edwin Tong
For 26 Ridout Road, Tong said that following the commencement of Shanmugam's tenancy, he periodically raised concerns about the structural and health conditions of the older trees, including in one instance after a neighbour expressed concerns about safety.
Tong highlighted that the minister had "legitimate concerns" that some trees, such as decayed trees and those with poor vigour or structural defects, would pose safety issues.
He pointed out this was why Shanmugam was not keen to have the additional vegetated land fenced into his tenancy, given the legal obligations that fall on the tenant.
Arborist consulted for the removal of trees
In addition, on each occasion, before any decision about a tree was made, an arborist was brought in to carry out an inspection.
Tong said that for the trees that were removed, the reports found evidence of various problems that posed safety concerns such as wound decay on main trunks and on buttress roots.
In total, 19 trees with more than a metre in girth were removed on various occasions, since the minister's tenancy started 4.5 years ago, each time upon feedback that the trees may pose safety issues.
For 18 of these 19 trees, independent arborist reports were sought before seeking approval from NParks officers who inspected the trees in person, Tong added.
Tong said the one tree which did not require an arborist report had failed in bad weather. However, NParks approval was obtained to fell the rest of the tree
NParks officers can easily access data, tools, and applications through their mobile devices, giving them updated real-time information on trees, parks, and gardens while on the go. It is hard to see why the 19 trees in question were not removed as part of their routine inspection.
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