Mapo-gu Supports 50% of Roadside Tree Management Costs Including Pruning

From Pruning to Dead Tree Removal... Applications Open from the 15th, 50% Project Cost Support... Spring Tree Cleaning Included, Efforts to Preserve Green Spaces for Improving Residents' Quality of Life

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) is implementing the ‘Roadside Tree Management Support Project’ starting this month, which supports pruning and maintenance of tall trees privately owned adjacent to road boundaries with a width of 20 meters or more.

This project is based on the 'Ordinance on Green Space Conservation and Greening Support of Mapo-gu, Seoul,' which is the first in the nation to prohibit strong pruning (hard pruning) of privately owned trees, including those owned by commercial buildings and apartments.

Due to repeated cases where individuals arbitrarily damaged various private trees, including tall trees, harming the streetscape and undermining the public functions of trees, the district established the related ordinance in 2017 and has been promoting the private tree management support project since 2019.

Details of the project include supporting pruning within the scope that does not harm the urban landscape and maintenance work such as removal of hazardous trees like dead or hollow trees, upon application by the tree owner or management entity for tall trees adjacent to roads with a width of 20 meters or more.

However, tree owners (managers) who meet the selection criteria and receive support must pay 50% of the work costs.

Applications for roadside tree management support can be submitted anytime from March 15 to November by filling out an application form and submitting it by mail or in person to the Parks and Greenery Division.

Additionally, the district has designated March as a focused guidance period to prevent unauthorized damage to tall trees, during which it will send notices, conduct landscaping management surveys, promote the project, and carry out inspections and guidance on violations.

Meanwhile, Mapo-gu, which is actively promoting the ‘5 Million Trees Planting Project’ aimed at reducing fine dust and mitigating urban heat island effects, will also take the lead in spring tree washing this month to maximize planting effects.

Trees planted along roads, such as street trees, suffer from blocked stomata and poor growth and appearance when dust, fine dust, and other pollutants adhere to them.

Moreover, salt damage occurs when residual deicing agents (calcium chloride) sprayed in freezing winter areas accumulate salt, causing leaves to turn yellow.

Accordingly, the district plans to complete all work by late March, focusing on washing 14,538 street trees along 92 routes, 39,788㎡ of green belts, as well as removing winter protection facilities, old fallen leaves, trash, and old leaves of flowering plants to wash away accumulated pollutants and fine dust during winter.

Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu said, “We will spare no policy support to nurture trees and maintain their public and scenic functions,” adding, “We will steadily promote various policies, including the 5 Million Trees Planting Project, to systematically conserve green spaces and improve the quality of life for residents through urban greening.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.