The Hong Kong government has set up a registry of ‘Old and Valuable’ trees. According to the website listing out the trees, the qualification for ‘Old and valuable’ status is based on the age, size, species, and sometimes, shape of the individual tree.

The relevant information is here: https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/conservation/regoldvaluetree.htm.

In terms of size, trees should have a trunk diameter of 1 metre or more when measured at 1.3 metres above ground level, or it could be 25 metres or taller, or have a canopy that is 25 metres or more in diameter.

Another criteria is age, with old being over 100 years of age. Trees can also be rare, as defined by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong, or “have cultural, historical and memorable significance”

Lastly, trees can also qualify for have “outstanding form,” like large hollow trees, trees with wall-like aerial roots and trees growing on retainer walls with “well balanced” or “curious growth” forms.

These ‘Old and valuable’ trees can be found all around Hong Kong, on streets, in parks and in some unlikely places like playgrounds and behind bus stops. I am in the process of photographing all the ones on Hong Kong Island, and wherever I can find them when I visit other parts of city. You will find them all here.

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See our growing list of “Old and valuable” trees in Hong Kong here.