Recommendation and suggestion
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Forestree is not limited to develop and give government innovative ideas, but also recommend and suggest possible solutions for the government officals to enhance and improve the current workflow.
Tree managment should with united system, intergrate with GIS
The government often outsources tree inventory and regular management to private firms. However, there is a lack of unified and standardized management systems between the government and contractors, which results in poor quality and inefficient tree management processes. This highlights the need for better collaboration and communication between the government and contractors to establish a more effective and consistent system for managing trees.
From the government report, it shows revealed issues with the Lands Department's follow-up on tree complaints. One case in 2021 involved a complaint about a tree with a risk of collapse. It took the Lands Department 377 days to provide a response after receiving the complaint. The Ombudsman criticized the Lands Department for failing to effectively monitor the work of the contractor.
The Lands Department is responsible for all trees on government land that has not been leased or allocated, some of which are located in remote areas. An investigation by the Ombudsman's office found that in 2022, the Lands Department took an average of 104 days to respond to 1823 emergency tree complaints, compared to eight days for other departments.
As of March 2022, the Lands Department had 2148 overdue tree complaints. While the Lands Department accounts for 34% of all tree complaints, it accounts for 99.8% of the overdue complaints, which the report describes as "unacceptable".
Problem among the current tree management workflow
When a tree falls under the responsibility of different department bodies such as ArchD, LandsD, or CEDD, each department will respond and take action respectively, leading to a lack of inter-departmental cooperation.
No standardized approach to determine which department should take responsibility for a particular tree. The common practice is for the department with the higher relationship with the tree to take action, such as the slope is related to the CEDD in expressway under the HyD management, some of the slopes in the recreational space under the LCSD, still it was built under ArchD, then the ArchD will take the responsibility. However, some departments may not be active in responding or taking action.
If different departments declare that they have no responsibility for a particular tree, the Tree Management Office (TMO) under PlansD will take the responsibility for tree arbitration to determine which department should take responsibility for the tree. However, the tree arbitration process can be very time-consuming, leading to delays in tree management.
Suggestions and our recommendations to enhance the current tree management workflow
By the Geographic Information System (GIS) can significantly improve the tree management process by providing a visual representation of tree locations and their associated attributes such as nearby land lots, registered owners/departments, and slope information. This can help to streamline the process of determining which department should take responsibility for a particular tree and unify the declaration process. There is a demo for the tree informatic map from Forestree.
Establishing a regular tree inspection interval and reporting standard is crucial to developing a uniform tree management system. The inspection interval should be set at a periodic time to ensure that all trees are inspected, and the management standard is maintained uniformly. Additionally, the reporting system should be improved to enhance the quality of tree inspection. By developing a standardized tree inspection system, departments can ensure that all trees are inspected regularly, resulting in more efficient and effective tree management. The inspection interval should be based on factors such as tree species, age, and location to ensure that all trees are inspected at an appropriate frequency.
Developing an automated or AI-based standardized tree arbitration method can significantly improve the efficiency of the tree management process and reduce human errors. By using algorithms and machine learning techniques, the system can analyze various factors such as tree location, its association, and relevant regulations to determine which department should take responsibility for a particular tree.
Adopt Close-ranging and Panoramic photography for tree management
Close-ranging photography uses high-resolution cameras to capture detailed photographs of trees, whereas panorama photography uses wide-angle cameras to capture images of trees and their environs.
These procedures can help discover possible tree dangers and difficulties, such as tree diseases or structural faults. Tree management departments may conduct remote inspections and evaluations of trees by taking precise photographs of trees, decreasing the need for physical inspections and boosting the efficiency of the tree management process.
Panoramic photography can provide a thorough perspective of the trees and their surrounds, allowing any threats and concerns in the surrounding environment, such as neighboring buildings or infrastructure, to be identified. This can assist to improve environmental safety and minimize the likelihood of tree management incidents.
Furthermore, photography can help with the documenting and tracking of trees over time. Tree management departments may monitor the growth and development of trees and identify any changes or difficulties that may occur by collecting photos of trees at various times in time.
Engage with Predictive-AI and citizenship-based tree risk report system
Predictive-AI provides a platform for citizens to report tree risk incidents in their local area, which can be used to identify potential risks and prioritize tree management efforts.
By the predictive AI to analyze tree data and identify potential risks and issues before they become emergencies. This can help to reduce the response time for tree management efforts and prevent accidents from occurring.
Furthermore, this encourages citizen engagement in tree management by providing tools and resources for citizens to monitor the condition of trees in their area and report any issues or risks. It can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the tree management process by increasing citizen participation and reducing the burden on government departments.
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