KKB council to track condition of the town’s iconic trees

Health check: Junainah looking at a tree that has been tagged by the arborist. It stands opposite the MDHS building in Kuala Kubu Baru.

THE Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) is on an exercise to tag and track the condition of about 100 trees in the Kuala Kubu Baru town, some of which are believed to be at least 100 years old.

The council’s Landscape Department has hired an arborist to do an inventory.

The arborist, also called a tree doctor, will also inspect the health of each tree as previously more than a dozen trees were infected with fusarium, a fungal infection, and had to be destroyed last year.

MDHS Corporate Com-munication officer Junainah Abdullah said the council wanted them to be recognised as heritage trees.

“KKB is known for its huge trees with species like raintree, cengal, mahogany and teak providing shade,” she said.

It is also famous for its heritage buildings including a 100-year-old clock tower.

The district is also known for the Hulu Tamu and Kerling hotsprings, Sungai Chilling, Sungai Selangor, Sungai Pertak and the Sungai Selangor Dam.

“The trees also attract birds and this is something acknowledged through Wings of KKB, a birdwatching competition which has been organised for the past few years in KKB.

“One of the legs of Le Tour De Langkawi will also be held here on March 15,’’ said Junainah.

She added many residents had expressed concern that the trees were being tagged prior to being destroyed.

“The arborists have also placed red tape around the diameter of each tree. The residents need not worry as we want to preserve these trees for future generations,’’ she added.

Junainah said MDHS personnel had learned more about preserving the trees after visiting the Taiping Municipal Council in November last year.