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Hong Kong Country Park Plantation Enhancement Scheme

Existing Problems of Plantation Areas

  • Former plantation schemes in the country parks involved mainly trees of exotic species, such as Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa), Horsetail Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia), Lemon-scented Gum (Eucalyptus species), Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus), Paper-bark Tree（Melaleuca quinquenervia）,etc.
  • Although these trees are effective in preventing soil erosion, their dense canopies, a result of rapid growth and a lack of regular or systematic thinning in the past, have hindered the natural propagation and growth of native trees. Thus, the woodland habitats are both monotonous and lack of vitality, with just average ecological value and are unsuitable for native animals to inhabit.
  • Some of the existing plantation areas are faced with problems such as aging, withering, lack of growing space, etc.

Plantation Enhancement Scheme

  • To enhance the ecological value of country park woodlands and to tackle the problems faced by the plantation areas, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has, in recent years, started to increase the numbers and species of native trees planted in its plantation areas.  At present, more than half of the tree seedlings planted annually by the AFCD are native species.  
  • The AFCD has launched the Plantation Enhancement Scheme with the following objectives: 
    1. to improve the ecological habitat of the plantation areas;
    2. to increase the diversity of both animal and plant species;
    3. to replace the aging trees with suitable seedlings for the sustainable development of the plantation areas;
    4. to provide seeds of native trees;
    5. to enhance the landscape of the country park plantation areas; and
    6. to reduce the chance of pest outbreaks.
  • During the autumn and winter of 2009-2010, 21 areas have been and will be engaged under the scheme and their distributions are identified in the following map . 

location map of plantation
Please click the map to enlarge (pdf format)

  • AFCD will conduct a systematic survey under the Scheme to determine the location and the scope of the plantation areas, their current habitat conditions and the order of priority to be adopted. 
  • Thinning of withering and aging trees will then be carried out between November and February annually.
  • Appropriate native tree seedlings will be planted in the plantation areas the following year. The main varieties and characteristics of these seedlings are listed in Table 1.
  • The detailed enhancement scheme of each plantation area, including the scale of thinning of exotic trees, the species, quantity and schedule of native trees to be planted, will vary in accordance with the local environmental factors concerned. 
  • Majority of the native tree species will be cultivated by the Tai Tong Forest Nursery whereas the planting of seedlings will be carried out by the staff of AFCD and tree-planting contractors. 
  • As tree felling is an issue of public concern, it is important to let the public understand the purpose of tree thinning in country parks. In this connection, AFCD will put up notice boards in the plantation areas concerned to explain to the public the purpose of the entire scheme and the work arrangements involved.

 
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image Last Revision Date : 24 November 2010 image