Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2007

What Is DBH? Tree diameter at breast height is the 'magical' spot on a tree where measurements are taken to determine things like growth, volume and yield. CUHK adopts the definition of the Hong Kong Government of breast height as 1.3 metres above ground. Three Principles of Tree Preservation In Hong Kong, where greenery is at a premium, the University's verdant, tree-covered campus is a treasured asset. The University plants over 300 trees, about 20,000 shrubs and floral plants, 6,000 ground cover plants, and over 5,000 m 2 of grass annually, and takes reasonable and practicable measures to avoid felling, damaging or putting at risk the survival of trees on campus. 'Avoidance, minimization and compensation' are the fundamental principles guiding the University's tree preservation policy. Before campus development works can take place, the unit responsible has to submit a report to the Campus Landscaping Enhancement Committee detailing how trees at the site will be affected. If it is decided that the trees cannot be preserved in situ , transplanting will be considered. In situations where felling is absolutely unavoidable, the unit must come up with a compensatory scheme to ensure that destruction is kept to a minimum. In compensatory planting, preference is given to native tree species. The unit responsible must ensure that in terms of aggregate diameter at breast height (DBH), the number of trees planted can more than compensate for trees lost. 'Trees are important components of CUHK's natural heritage. Tree preservation signifies our commitment to provide a congenial environment for scholarly activities and our contribution to building a sustainable and low-carbon society.' Prof. Lam Kin-che, chairman of the University Steering Committee on Environment 4 Chinese University Bulletin