Contractors pruning branches to reduce the load on tree roots and trunks, and reducing the height of trees along Jalan Kelawei, George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
CUTTING down an old tree by the roadside is a meticulous and complex process, far more challenging than felling trees in the jungle.
In urban settings, every step must be carefully planned and executed to ensure public safety, in addition to that of properties and surrounding infrastructure.
The removal of a large tree in the city requires precision and expertise.
From cutting down branches to felling a whole tree, this can be a delicate process, especially in urban areas like George Town.
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One such operation was recently carried out in a bustling neighbourhood, where StarMetro observed an old towering Angsana tree near Jalan Burma being removed.
The tree had stood for decades, with its roots spreading deep into the ground and its branches stretching over roads, sidewalks and nearby buildings.
Removing it required not only skilled workers but also extensive planning, coordination and specialised equipment.
The workers carefully removed the branches first, one by one, using a mobile skylift to reach the higher parts.
Each branch was lowered to the ground using a crane, ensuring no damage to nearby power lines or buildings.
Once the branches were cleared, workers moved on to the trunk, cutting it into smaller, manageable sections. These were then lifted by crane and safely brought down.
The process required constant communication between workers and machine operators.
This delicate process demonstrates the level of care and effort required in urban tree removal, reminding people of the balance between maintaining city infrastructure and preserving nature responsibly.
Arborist Mohd Dzikry Mohamad Hydzir said a comprehensive traffic management plan had to be put in place to reroute vehicles and pedestrians away from the work area.
“Safety must be a top priority, with sections of the road cordoned off and warning signs displayed to inform the public of the ongoing operation.
“Heavy machinery, including mobile cranes and skylifts, must be brought in to handle the tree’s significant height and weight,” he said.
Mohd Dzikry said that unlike in rural areas, where a tree could be cut at its base and allowed to fall, the Angsana tree in urban sites had to be taken down in sections.
He said it would take two or three days to cut a tree, depending on its size and condition.
Meanwhile, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo said Penang Island City Council (MBPP) would continue to check and prune trees in his constituency.
“For the past several weeks, 17 old trees have been cut down in Jalan Burma and Jalan Kelawei,” he said.
He said MBPP had also conducted pruning operations in Taman Maktab recently following his survey and inspection of trees in the neighbourhood.
He added that his service centre had worked around the clock in Pulau Tikus to check on trees that were deemed risky and posed danger to the public.
Meanwhile, MBPP’s Landscape Department said it had identified 97 trees in George Town which were deemed hazardous.
“The cutting down of trees is now ongoing and expected to be completed on Dec 31,” said the department.
