Ministry slammed for pruning project

Deputy permanent secretary Siriporn Kijkuakool admitted yesterday that it was her decision to remove or trim the trees, as branches often fell on people or property during heavy rains and thunderstorms.
However, she said, the trees will grow new branches in a few months and they will be reshaped to make them look good.
Large trees around key landmarks were given a light clip, including those at the main Buddha shrine, a famous spirit house and shelters for visitors, but others, including the landmark twin Malabar ironwood trees, had their thick, spreading branches cut back severely.
Siriporn said the renovation was not as expensive as reported. A source had said the project met with much opposition and was discussed at several internal meetings. Its cost was finally reduced to Bt4 million to Bt5 million and the job was awarded to three agricultural colleges.
The job of paring and felling some trees was carried out by a company under a Bt350,000 contract after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said it did not have the crane trucks to do the job.
Pongprom Yamarad, a co-founder of the Big Trees network, said the trimmed trees would not necessarily grow new branches, adding that all trees should first be inspected to see if they are healthy enough to restore themselves.
Often trees are pruned when they are young, but giving the same treatment to old ones could prove to be both dangerous and expensive.
“While the maintenance of trees is important, improper pruning has |led to fewer trees in the environment,” he said. “Trees that experience badly timed trimming and excessive cuts will weaken and die.”