Tree planting and care in big cities are under scrutiny after a sudden severe storm at the weekend hit Hanoi, bringing down more than 1,200 trees, many of them uprooted.
Fallen tree blocks Hanoi street
The storm on June 13 brought down 1,290 trees, killed two people and injured five. Advertising billboards were also torn from buildings.
Public concern has been roused about why so many trees were toppled in the city centre. Inspections revealed the trees had weak, shallow root systems.
Dang Van Ha, deputy director of the Institute of Landscape Architecture and Interior, said part of the problem was the limited space for greenery in Hanoi and lack of care.
"During urbanisation, we build houses and roads and underground cable systems, and, in most cases, tree roots will be cut to make way for construction," Ha said. "Roots are cut again during repairs on underground water and electricity lines."
Ha said multi-storey buildings block sunlight, forcing the trees to grow towards available light; the trees lose stability and, because of their weak roots, fall in unusually strong winds.
Hanoi should review the trees being planted, and favour trees proven to be able to withstand flood and strong winds, he said.