Project Overview

Acacia confusa trees have been extensively planted on roads and slopes in both urban and rural areas in Hong Kong for half a century. However, the majority of acacia trees have gradually reached their senescent stage with deteriorating structure and health, and many in peril of collapse. To reduce the risk and safeguard the public, an enhancement programme entitled “Enhancement of Vegetated Slopes – Phase Replacement of Senescent Acacia” has been implemented by the Highways Department since 2016 to replace the senescent and potentially hazardous acacia confusa trees. The objectives of the current study are to establish effective management measures to reduce risk of acacia failure; to promote sustainability and formulate a more efficient long-term maintenance plan; to enhance biodiversity and the environmental performance of highway landscaping systematically by developing a more strategic replacement planting design; and to develop lists of suitable replacement planting matrixes for the sustainable management of acacia slopes.