Lives depend on proper maintenance

THIS past week, from Penang to Sabah, Malaysians faced a fierce reminder of the power of nature.

Strong winds swept across several states, toppling trees, damaging structures and tragically claiming lives.

Two Chinese tourists were crushed to death in Penang on Wednesday, after strong winds toppled a wall with fig trees growing out of it and a thick clump of bamboo onto their car.

It is a grim illustration of the effects of climate change – while strong winds and storms have long been part of the Malaysian monsoon seasons, the intensity of these storms have increased. And that means that trees planted to provide shade and comfort in our cities and towns could now pose a deadly risk.

The problem is the way trees are planted and managed in urban areas has not kept pace with evolving climate challenges.

Many trees are planted using grafting techniques, so they cannot develop deep root systems that would help them to withstand strong winds.

The species of trees chosen for urban landscapes is also a significant concern.

While some fast-growing varieties with thin branches provide excellent canopy cover quickly, they are vulnerable to toppling during adverse weather conditions.

Many of Malaysia’s urban trees are also ageing, and like all living organisms, they become weaker as they grow older. They are more susceptible to disease, structural weaknesses and decay – all compounded by poor maintenance and oversight.

But then, as we all know, the country lacks a consistent maintenance culture in every area of life, from roads and buildings to tourist attractions and, yes, landscaping.

While many cities worldwide have professional arborists maintaining plants, this is still a developing area in Malaysia.

Local councils are often understaffed, with limited resources allocated to maintaining public greenery. We doubt many have a regular schedule of checking on trees much less have an arborist as staff.

If we can’t have professional arborists overseeing the planting and maintenance of greenery on every council, can we have them at the state level at least?

There must be a way to fund regular inspections, to assess the health of ageing trees and determine when intervention, such as pruning or removal, is necessary to prevent hazards.

Local councils should also adopt stricter guidelines for planting trees on private land to ensure that the landowners are held accountable for maintaining the safety of their trees.

This will require a concerted effort by local governments to pass and enforce regulations that balance private landowners’ needs with the public’s safety.

Moreover, councils need to embrace a scientific approach to urban tree management.

In cities where tree maintenance is already prioritised, local authorities use technology like satellite imagery and GIS (geographic information system) mapping to monitor tree health and identify which areas are most vulnerable to falling trees during storms.

These strategies can help prioritise tree trimming, removal and planting efforts, ensuring cities are safer and better prepared for increasingly severe weather events.

In Malaysia, it is time for local councils to step up and meet the challenge of maintaining urban greenery in the era of climate change.

Trees are a vital part of the urban landscape, but they should not be a source of danger.

By hiring more arborists, creating clear regulations for private landowners, and adopting a scientific approach to tree care, cities can mitigate the risks of uprooted trees in future storms.

The storm that swept through Penang, leaving destruction in its wake, is a sobering reminder of the growing risks we face.

As climate change intensifies, so too will the strength of these storms. We must adapt our urban planning and tree management to reflect this new reality. Lives depend on it.