Stone wall trees in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Retaining wall
Retaining walls are built in order to hold back earth which would otherwise move downwards. Their purpose is to stabilize slopes and provide useful areas at different elevations, e.g...
s. In alleviating harzards from landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
s, many slopes adjacent to main roads and developments on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
needed to be secured. Between the 19th century and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Hong Kong Government
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
and other contractors constructed masonry stone walls to prevent these hazards. Not until the last two decades have slopes been stabilised through cementing. In early constructed walls, opened joints between stones allowed strong species like banyan
Banyan
A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree...
s to sprout. Traffic and human activities carry on notwithstanding the growth of these plants, which further stabilise the retaining walls they are growing on. As time goes by, sprouts mature into fully developed stone wall trees.
Distribution
As of to date, 1275 stone wall trees are situated on 504 masonry stone retaining walls , with 110 walls in the Central and Western DistrictCentral and Western District
The Central and Western District located on northern part of Hong Kong Island is one of the 18 administrative districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 261,884 in 2001...
, where most walls remain in Chinese only, with many others in Wan Chai District
Wan Chai District
The Wan Chai District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, located in the north of Hong Kong island. It had a population of 167,146 in 2001. The district has the second most educated residents with the highest income, the second lowest population and the third oldest residents, and is also the...
. A majority of these trees have lived for over a century.
According to the Conservancy Association
Conservancy Association
The Conservancy Association is a Hong Kong non-governmental organization founded in 1968.The organization focusses on the protection of the environment and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage...
, some notable trees are located at:
Hong Kong Island
The largest tree is an over-a-century-old Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa), located in Forbes Street, near Forbes Street Playground. Another tree on Bonham RoadBonham Road
Bonham Road is a road in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. The road is a main road connecting Pokfulam Road in the west, near the University of Hong Kong, and Caine Road in the east, at the junction with Hospital Road and Seymour Road...
near Centre Street
Centre Street (Hong Kong)
Centre Street is a street in the Sai Ying Pun suburb of Hong Kong. Centre Street is the key central point of the most active traditional market in Western District of Hong Kong Island...
has a height of around 20 metres, the tallest one in the city.
Mid-Levels
- Hollywood RoadHollywood RoadHollywood Road is a street in Central and Sheung Wan, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts: from Chinese furniture to porcelain ware, from Buddha sculptures to Tibetan rugs, from Japanese netsukes to Coromandel screens, from Ming...
(Former police quarters) - Bonham RoadBonham RoadBonham Road is a road in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. The road is a main road connecting Pokfulam Road in the west, near the University of Hong Kong, and Caine Road in the east, at the junction with Hospital Road and Seymour Road...
near Centre StreetCentre Street (Hong Kong)Centre Street is a street in the Sai Ying Pun suburb of Hong Kong. Centre Street is the key central point of the most active traditional market in Western District of Hong Kong Island... - Rose Lane
- Intersection of Bonham Road and High StreetHigh Street, Hong KongHigh Street is a one way street in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, available only to minibuses and private vehicles. It connects Bonham Road in the east and Pok Fu Lam Road in the west. It runs from east to west from Western St to Pok Fu Lam Road, and from west to east from Western Street to Bonham Road...
- Hospital Road near Bonham Road
- Opposite of 84 Robinson RoadHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
- St. Stephen's Lane
- King George V Memorial ParkKing George V Memorial Park, Hong KongKing George V Memorial Park, Hong Kong is an urban park in Sai Ying Pun and one of the few parks in Hong Kong bearing the former colonial links to the territory's past....
Wan Chai District
- Stubbs RoadStubbs RoadStubbs Road connects Happy Valley and The Peak area on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, through an area near the Wong Nai Chung Gap. It goes through a residential area of luxurious high-rise tower blocks....
near Kennedy RoadKennedy Road, Hong KongKennedy Road is a road in the Mid-levels on the Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Starting from Garden Road in the west, it goes past St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, Hong Kong Park and Hopewell Centre and ends at the junction with Queen's Road East near Morrison Hill in Wan Chai.At... - Ship StreetShip Street, Hong KongShip Street is a street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It starts from Johnston Road, crosses Queen's Road East and goes uphill southward and reaches Kennedy Road. Part of the street is ladders and much of the century old buildings are abandoned. Locals often refer to these buildings as the "Ghost...
(near Nam Koo TerraceNam Koo TerraceNam Koo Terrace is a Grade I Historic Building located at No. 55 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, popularly known as "The Wan Chai Haunted House"...
)
Sham Shui Po District
Lung Chu Street NullahIn Lung Chu Street Nullah
Nullah
A Nullah or Nulla is an arm of the sea, stream, or watercourse, a steep narrow valley. Like the wadi of the Arabs, the nullah is characteristic of mountainous or hilly country where there is little rainfall...
, there are about 20 wall trees. More than 12 wall trees exist at the site and most of them are Chinese Banyan and Common Red-stem fig. All of them are mature trees with a height between 3 to 11 metres high. The special one is those Common Red-stem fig. It is a unique phenomenon for those particular wall trees since the majority of wall trees in Hong Kong are Chinese Banyan. It is the only site in Hong Kong, which have a dozen Common Red-stem fig trees in one location, which its buttress root adapted to the condition of the masonry walls. The nullah, therefore, is a scene with special scientific value for further study.
Comparing the trees planted in the park next to the nullah, the trees in the nullah are rich in biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
. Various kinds of birds could be find on those trees along the nullah, for example, yellow wagtail and white wagtail
White Wagtail
"Pied Wagtail" redirects here. For the related African bird, see African Pied Wagtail.The White Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa...
etc.
Besides, the trees around nullah formed a green canopy and functioned as a green lung for the community. For all those years, the trees benefited the community, for example, by minimizing the heat island effect.
Lai Chi Kok Hospital HACare Home
There is also a Chinese Banyan growing on the masonry wall next to Lai Chi Kok
Lai Chi Kok
Lai Chi Kok is a neighborhood in New Kowloon, Hong Kong, east of Kwai Chung and west of Cheung Sha Wan. Mei Foo Sun Chuen is the largest housing estate in the area. Administratively, it belongs to the Sham Shui Po District.-History:...
hospital, HACare Home.
Ecological value
In the beginning, greeneryGreenery
Greenery may refer to:* Any foliage of a plant, either live, freshly cut, or artificial. The term is used in the landscaping, interior design, and florist industries.* A houseplant used for its foliage.* A slang term for marijuana....
of the site was not taken into consideration during road constructions. Roads built at that time were often narrow and had no space for adding canopy by simply planting trees. Trees naturally emerged from the walls taking up no additional space at ground level, and shield the pathways from heat during the summer.
Tall wall trees, especially banyans, also improve air quality by filtering particulates and blocking heat emitted from automobiles and building-wide air conditioning systems, that would otherwise be trapped between skyscrapers, generating air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
is maintained through these trees by providing habitats for birds and various insects.
The integrity of the retaining wall is also ensured for these trees cling onto the soil and absorb water from it. It is less likely for such a wall to collapse after excess accumulation of water behind itself.
Cultural value
Stone wall trees in Hong Kong have become a part of the landscape in communities, as most of them have existed since before World War II. The artistic shapes and endurance of these trees won appreciation from nearby residents, which transform into an indispensable part of the collective memories of the community.Some senior residents believe that the trees can improve Feng Shui
Feng shui
Feng shui ' is a Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu ....
and bring positive prospects towards the neighbourhood.
Wall trees also create a beneficial environment that enables higher property prices around the trees compared to other premises in the area.
Additional conservations
- Ding Tomb among the Ming Dynasty TombsMing Dynasty TombsThe Ming Dynasty Tombs are located some 51.35 kilometers due north of central Beijing, within the suburban Changping District of Beijing municipality...
, BeijingBeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's... - Ming DynastyMing DynastyThe Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
walls in Yuexiu Park, GuangzhouGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
External links
- http://www.conservancy.org.hk/preleases/walltree/20050710C.htm