On February 26, leaders of Hoi Phu Ward People’s Committee said local officials were coordinating with relevant agencies to dismantle iron clamps that had tightly bound the trunks for years.
Functional forces are removing iron restraints from bauhinia trees along Luong Dinh Cua Street (Photo: Pham Hoang).
The move followed a Dantri report highlighting the prolonged use of the restraints. Ward authorities subsequently ordered an inspection to assess the trees’ condition.
The review found more than 170 bauhinia trees encircled by iron clamps that had constricted their trunks. Officials concluded the trees had developed stable root systems and were strong enough to withstand wind and rain, allowing the full removal of the metal supports in coordination with Gia Lai Urban Works Joint Stock Company.
Dozens of workers were deployed along Luong Dinh Cua Street on the afternoon of February 25 and the morning of February 26 to urgently remove the clamps.
A bauhinia tree after the iron restraints are removed (Photo: Pham Hoang).
Ward leaders acknowledged that residents had previously raised concerns via a Zalo group, but the information may have been overlooked, delaying action.
“The ward has instructed officials to supervise and accelerate the removal process, and to review other streets to ensure trees can grow healthily and enhance the urban landscape,” a ward representative said.
Many bauhinia trees still have iron restraints (Photo: Pham Hoang).
In 2021, authorities planted more than 170 bauhinia trees along the street to improve the city’s greenery and provide shade. However, the iron supports installed for stabilisation were not removed as the trees matured, leading to severe trunk constriction and hampered growth.
Over time, many trees became stunted, some showed signs of decline, and several gradually died as a result.