About the trees

The saplings to be planted this year are all local varieties, including: Polyspora axillari, Schima Superba, Photinia benthamiana, Phyllanthus emblica, Sapium discolour, Syzyeium levinei, Syzygium hancei, Bridelia tomentosa, Eurya Chinensis, Rhaphiolepis indica, Castanopsis fissa and Reevesia thyrsoidea .

Reason for selecting local seedlings:

• Promoting and maintaining ecological diversity will help to preserve the local flora and provide suitable food and shelter for local wildlife. These can also help preserve the local fauna.
• There is a long-term co-evolutionary relationship with pests, diseases and pathogen such that native species become locally adapted. Therefore, they are more resistant to pest and disease attacks.In general, fewer plants are infected, and the need to use chemical or other methods for disease treatment and prevention is correspondingly smaller.
• Since native species are already adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, less water and fertilizer are needed and less care is required. Due to the ease of management, planting costs are lower.

Hill fires and erosion have occurred in many country parks in Hong Kong. In order to increase the survival rate of the replanted seedlings, exotic tree species with avant-garde characteristics are often selected to grow under harsh soil, water and microclimate conditions. Some exotic tree species can also improve soil, moisture, and microclimate conditions, so that they gradually become more suitable for native species to enter the forest.

Through the Tree Planting Challenge, it is hoped that the proportion of local tree seedlings will be gradually increased, to enhance the ecological value of country parks.