A huge tree in KL fell and hit multiple cars during a heavy downpour recently, which claimed 1 life and injured many. One question that came into mind is – is DBKL responsible for the trees, especially the old ones standing still around town?
Yes and no
In a recent TikTok post by DBKL, a DBKL officer took the time to explain the kind of trees you can see standing in the city, and which trees (or situations) fall under their responsibility.
It’s easy to remember because there are only “Private” and “Public” trees. If it falls under private, then the tree is no doubt the owner’s responsibility to take care of.
“It’s just like planting your own trees at home. You’re obliged to take care of them.”
And as you may have guessed it, DBKL takes care of the public trees, and it’s not just about watering the plants.
“We observe the trees from time to time to avoid the trees from becoming a hazard, and we take actions based on the complaints that we receive from the public.”
Now, how long should we leave that tree alone before we cut it down?
20 years? 30 years? According to DBKL, they don’t have a timeline of when it’s time to axe the tree. The officers will keep an eye on the condition of the trees to make sure it’s well-maintained and not a hazard to the public. However, when the time comes, DBKL will take action.
“When the condition worsened, we’ll cut down the tree. No doubt.”
Sometimes, there is only so much DBKL can do. In case you happen to spot a tree that is becoming a hazard or at least, showing signs of danger, do lodge a report at ad@kl.
The earlier accident caused massive delays for public transportation. Despite the development, we shouldn’t abandon mother nature entirely. The trees are there for a reason and they should be well-maintained for safety purposes.
Also read: Tree Falls in Penang, Damages 5 Cars Including Newly-Bought Car of 2 Weeks
