MATURE trees in urban areas must be managed through regular inspections and scientific assessments, with any recommendation for removal based on detailed evaluations of the canopy, trunk and root system.
Malaysian Society of Arborists (PArM) president Mohd Zailani Jamil said decisions involving tree removal should consider the overall condition and risks posed by each tree, not by visual observation alone.
He called for greater investment in preventive tree care amid renewed scrutiny over public safety following a fatal tree fall incident on July 18.
A 43-year-old man was killed when a tree fell onto the car he was driving along Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
Mohd Zailani said regular maintenance and good arboricultural practices would ensure safety while helping preserve Malaysia’s urban tree canopy.
“Local authorities should carry out regular inspections and implement long-term maintenance based on the needs of individual trees rather than responding only after complaints or incidents.”
He said factors such as root movement, soil upheaval, construction-related root damage and an increasing lean should all be assessed before any decision was made.
While arborists could recommend whether a tree should be retained or removed, he said the local authority had the final say.
PArM, a non-profit organisation, serves as the umbrella body for arboriculture practitioners involved in the care, maintenance and management of urban trees.
With growing awareness of the importance of professional tree management, Mohd Zailani said Malaysia currently had about 160 certified arborists, but more trained professionals were needed to meet rising demand.
Following public debate over tree removal exercises, Mohd Zailani said older trees deserved greater protection because of their ecological and historical value.
“There must be a reason before trees are recommended for removal,” he said.
“The assessor must inspect the site, understand the tree condition and only then make a recommendation.”
For example, he said if only the upper part of a tree posed a hazard, mitigation measures such as pruning should be carried out instead of felling the entire tree.
“When we lose an old tree, we lose a living asset.
“You cannot replace its age or size overnight.”
He said mature trees provided significant ecological benefits.
“Trees provide shade, shelter and cooling, especially with the high temperatures we are experiencing now.
“Where the risks can be managed, it is better to retain the greenery through appropriate mitigation measures.”
In a StarMetro July 20 report, “Council steps up tree maintenance to prevent hazards,” Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) said it had carried out maintenance works on more than 270 trees across the municipality as part of an ongoing effort to improve public safety.
In a video, the council said it received public liability claims totalling RM279,880.82 arising from tree-fall incidents between 2024 and June this year.
MPAJ said every tree pruning or felling exercise was based on technical assessments.
The exercise involved trees identified as posing a risk due to disease, decay, instability, leaning or other conditions that could endanger public safety or damage property.
