Numerous trees in Ho Chi Minh City have been cut down.

Dozens of tamarind and flamboyant trees, over a decade old, in Binh Tan and Binh Thanh districts have had their branches pruned, leaving only the trunks bare, a sight that has saddened many.

On the afternoon of July 30th, more than a dozen tamarind trees, with diameters ranging from 30-50 cm, located in Thanh Da Park, Ward 27, Binh Thanh District, were left with only rough, lifeless branches, interspersed with larger trees that still had their branches and leaves intact. At the base of these trees, hundreds of large logs, each more than a handspan in diameter, were piled up.

The rows of tamarind trees in Thanh Da Park, Binh Thanh District, are bare after being pruned. Photo: Dinh Van

Ms. Huong, 55, who sells fruit near the area, said that the trees usually provided shade for people walking, exercising, and vendors at Thanh Da market. A few days ago, someone came to prune the branches, but after the work was done, only the large branches were left bare. "I feel so sorry, it took several years for the trees to grow and provide such shade, but they were cut down in a few hours," she said.

About 15 km away, 12 flame trees in the Hoa Lam Sangri-La high-tech medical zone in Binh Tan district also had their branches cut off, with some trees left with only trunks 3-5 meters tall. Most of the tree bases were still healthy, showing no signs of decay or disease.

A representative from the Green Environment Group (the unit responsible for maintaining the trees in Thanh Da Park) stated that the trees had been surveyed before pruning. Because the tamarind trees have exposed roots, leaving many branches and leaves would pose a risk of breakage and falling, so they had to be treated.

Meanwhile, according to the guidelines for planting and caring for trees in the premises of organizations and individuals issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, pruning trees to remove all their leaves is technically incorrect, affecting growth, safety, and aesthetics. Trees that are pruned to the point of being bare are prone to developing many adventitious shoots, which, when they develop into branches, have weak connections and are very easily broken or split, causing safety hazards.

The rows of flame trees, with only their trunks remaining after all the branches were cut off, at the Hoa Lam Shangri-La high-tech medical complex in Binh Tan District. Photo: Ha Giang

From a professional standpoint, Associate Professor Dang Van Ha, Director of the Institute of Landscape Architecture and Urban Greenery, believes that the roots of trees such as the Indian almond, Terminalia catappa, and flamboyant tree become exposed and easily damaged after 20-30 years of growth, while their branches are very soft. However, to prevent problems, it is advisable to thin out weak branches and foliage rather than cutting them completely bare. "Trees that are cut bare may sprout new branches and leaves, but it takes a very long time for them to provide shade again, so proper handling is necessary," said Professor Ha.

Dr. Che Dinh Ly, from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, also stated that pruning trees in this manner is a low-cutting technique aimed at preventing the tree from growing branches that extend too high and are prone to breaking or falling. Such pruning does not significantly affect the tree's growth but reduces shade due to the stripped foliage. However, this technique is usually only applied to young trees to ensure that subsequent branch growth is uniform and the height is appropriate.

According to him, ensuring safety to prevent trees from falling remains a top priority, but depending on the area and type of tree, the pruning unit needs to survey and devise appropriate measures that do not affect the tree's ability to grow and recover, as well as its aesthetics.

Last year, more than 20 Taiwanese almond trees in a residential area in District 8 were also cut down due to improper and excessive handling. The district subsequently reviewed the situation and developed a plan to restore the trees.

Gia Minh - Dinh Van

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