Meet the Malaysian tree doctors taking care of our cities' natural heritage

Puteri Noorlela (left) conducting a tree risk assessment at a private resort with landscape architect Fariza Firdaus to ensure the safety and health of the resort’s natural surroundings. Photos: Puteri Noorlela Bahrun

In addition to vegetables and shrubs, trees play a role in edible gardens as well. Usually a sign of mature soil and ecology, fruit trees are able to give us fruiting bounties, provide shade and also contribute to the local ecology and microbiomes of soils.

But often, trees are overlooked in the urban setting, and tree care is relatively uncommon.