Queen's College Old Boys' Association (QCOBA) today (October 18) drew the attention of Members and Old Boys to the school's proposed removal of a seven-decade-old and 11-metre-tall candlenut tree with risk of collapse standing by the main entrance since QC moved into the Causeway Road campus in 1950 for the safety of students and staff.
QCOBA has been working with the school and the Environmental Protection Team (EPT) in the past month to look into its health and necessary mitigation. Results of the inspection by professional horticultural personnel are set out in the EPT's feature story on trees released in its facebook page yesterday (October 17).
In addition to the candlenut tree, some parts of a mango tree adjacent to the back entrance fell last month and hit some vehicles with no persons injured. Stakeholders including EPT, QCOBA and Queen's College Parent-Teacher Association were consulted about the removal of both trees for the safety of campus users, passers-by and road users as well as building safety. Students and staff were briefed at the assembly yesterday. The candlenut will be removed on November 15 tentatively.
In response to our wishes and subject to actual situation, parts of the trees in less worse condition may be reserved for touching up before display to boys and Old Boys as a vivid memory of the alma mater. Views on conservation proposals are welcome.
QC is home to a diversity of green species which add colour to our school lives. Apart from the inextricable lawn as a gift to generations of QC boys, trees undergone their natural cycle like our long campus history. Further to our collaboration with EPT in March on green products launched at Open Days, QCOBA appreciated EPT students' efforts in taking the opportunity to learn and research and we will join hands with stakeholders in promoting tree preservation.
Heritage and Communications Sub-committee,
Queen's College Old Boys' Association
October 18, 2019