The Municipal Affairs Bureau has updated its “Old and Valuable Trees” register by adding twelve more to the list and removing three, bringing the current total number of trees on the list to 654.
In an announcement yesterday, the bureau (also known by its Portuguese initials IAM) said that the twelve additions belonged to six different species: mock bodh, Chinese hackberry, mango, camphor, wingleaf soapberry and red silk-cotton.
Situated mainly in Taipa and Coloane, the additions range between 101 and 140 years of age and are classified as “third-class ancient trees” (or trees that are 100 to 299 years old) in accordance with the guidelines of China’s National Afforestation Environmental Protection Commission.
According to IAM, the oldest tree in the group is a 140-year-old mock bodh that is located in front of Tam Kong Temple in Coloane.
[See more: More than 40,000 trees will be planted in Coloane this year]
As for the three trees that were removed from the list, IAM pointed out that one of them, a persimmon-leaved litsea in Ilha Verde, had been withering as a result of natural ageing. The other two trees, a candleberry in Guia Hill Municipal Park and a rose apple in Seac Pai Van Park, were dying as a result of pest infestation, despite efforts to save them.
IAM stated that it remains committed to promoting the importance of protecting the ancient trees in the city. Efforts have been made by the bureau to increase the number of trees in Macao as part of a restoration program that aims to plant 20 hectares of vegetation. In March, 40,000 saplings were planted in Coloane in accordance with the initiative.
Currently, the oldest tree in the city is a jambolan plum that is over 500 years old, located in the Kun Iam Temple. A full list of Macao’s 654 old and valuable trees can be found here.
