Estate residents question why Typhoon Noul uprooted so many trees

The uprooting of numerous trees across Hong Kong during Typhoon Noul last weekend has sparked safety concerns among residents, with an expert warning that restrictive planting methods had left some unable to withstand strong winds.Two government hotlines received a total of 331 reports of fallen trees during the typhoon, which triggered No 8 and No 9 signals on Saturday and Sunday. Of the fallen trees, eight were banyans at Wan Tau Tong Estate and another of the same species was reported near Tai Po Mega Mall in Tai Po.At Wan Tau Tong Estate, residents said the loss of trees that had stood there for more than three decades had left them upset and concerned about the area’s safety.