Root rot, trunk cavity caused 90-year-old tree to collapse in Penang, says MBPP
A 90-year-old tree collapsed in Penang, injuring three people inside an SUV. Local authorities attributed the failure to root rot and structural decay despite recent maintenance assessments.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about urban forestry management and public safety in aging city environments.
GEORGE TOWN: Root rot and a cavity in the base of a 90-year-old Angsana tree, compounded by chronic soil compaction and limited rooting space, contributed to its collapse along Jalan Macalister here on Sunday (Aug 9).
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the 28-metre-tall tree, Pterocarpus indicus, had an estimated 30% root rot, while cavity decay accounted for about 40% of its base trunk.
"These factors, combined with infrastructure upgrading works, chronic soil compaction, limited rooting space and the tree's height, significantly increased the risk of structural failure," he told Bernama on Sunday.
In the incident at about 9am, an elderly couple and their grandchild were injured when the SUV they were travelling in was crushed by the falling tree.
Rajendran said there were no reports of heavy rain or strong winds at or before the time of the incident.
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