A new resident in Hong Kong Park
A seven-metre high bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) with its characteristic bottle-shaped trunk of one-metre in diameter,was planted in Hong Kong Park (near Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry) today (May 27), adding to the park's rare species collection.
"The bottle tree from Australia is the first of its kind to be introduced in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s parks, and the tree is estimated to be around 50 years old", an LCSD spokesman said.
The department has always been committed to promoting greening, planting different kinds of trees in its parks to beautify the environment.
"We will introduce plant species of special and attractive features so people can appreciate the unique beauty of these trees, he said.
The bottle tree with its distinctive bottle shape, is an ornamental plant. The bottle-shaped trunk may start to be noticeable at around five to eight years of age.
Since its establishment in 2000, the department has planted 240,000 trees and 14,500,000 shrubs and seasonal flowers throughout the territory, enhancing vibrancy and visual beauty of the city with their seasonal colours.
Apart from the bottle tree, two Jujube trees estimated to be 400 years old, are also precious and rare species collection of Hong Kong Park.
Other attractive species introduced in the park include Rose of Venezuela, Sorrowless Tree and Golden Trumpet Tree which are distinctive for their pendulous flower clusters and beautiful colour when blossoming.
The bottle tree was planted under the sponsorship of Green Fun.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2005