Following directives from city leaders and the Hanoi Department of Construction, authorities have started removing flower clusters in areas where milk flower trees are planted densely and their fragrance affects residents.
Milk flower trees on a Hanoi street (Photo: Do Trung).
Under the preliminary plan, flower clusters will be trimmed on nearly 1,000 trees during this round of work. The operation will follow established procedures and take place outside peak traffic hours to minimise disruption.
Milk flower trees are a hallmark of autumn in Hanoi and contribute to the capital’s urban identity. However, on some streets, densely planted trees produce an overpowering scent during flowering season, affecting residents’ health, daily lives and living environment.
Hanoi has about 14,400 milk flower trees distributed across streets and urban areas.
Streets where the trees can be found include Nguyen Du, Tran Duy Hung, Trung Hoa, Trung Kinh, Duy Tan, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Me Tri, Ho Tung Mau, Quan Thanh, Dao Tan, Nguyen Khanh Toan, Quang Trung, Thuy Khue, Cua Bac, Lac Long Quan, Le Van Luong, Le Quang Dao and Hoang Quoc Viet.
On October 14, Truong Viet Dung, vice-chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, instructed the Department of Construction to work with ward and commune authorities and relevant agencies to urgently review streets and residential areas with dense concentrations of milk flower trees.
Dung asked officials to propose relocating some trees to more suitable locations and planting alternative species to improve the living environment and protect public health while preserving the distinctive character of Hanoi’s milk flowers.
On October 15, the Department of Construction said it had drawn up a plan to adjust the density of milk flower trees across the city.
As an initial step, relevant agencies have been instructed to inspect streets and residential areas where the trees are densely planted, particularly near homes, schools and hospitals, as well as locations where residents have frequently complained about the fragrance.
Based on these inspections, agencies are to implement appropriate technical measures, including considering selective trimming of flower clusters where necessary.
Priority will be given to areas with high concentrations of trees, inadequate spacing, trees growing close to homes and locations where residents have raised concerns.
Hanoi has about 14,400 milk flower trees (Photo: Nguyen Hai).
For the longer term, the department has called for a comprehensive survey and inventory of milk flower trees along streets and in residential areas. The findings will inform proposals to adjust tree density on a street-by-street and area-by-area basis, taking into account local conditions and residents’ needs.
Authorities will also consider planting suitable replacement species alongside any relocation programme, balancing improvements to the living environment and public health with the preservation of Hanoi’s milk flower heritage.
The department has stressed that trees must not be relocated or replaced indiscriminately or without adequate justification, and that any changes must avoid damaging the existing landscape and urban tree network.