Community Issues

TREE SHAME

Hacking the Incense Trees

South China is the natural habitat of the incense tree ("heung" in Cantonese) and it is still quite common around the SAR but large or wild populations of these trees are now rarely seen outside of Hong Kong. Incense trees have been overexploited in mainland China and thieves are ready and willing to make a few dollars cutting down ours.

This tree's vulnerable status prompted China to place it on its list of protected wild plants in 1999. It is also regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Most illegal tree cutting occurs deep inside the Country Parks, where thieves are unlikely to encounter any opposition, and this picture is no exception. Hikers recently disturbed men cutting trees like this and heard chopping sounds in the areas of Mau Ping, Ho Chung and High Junk Peak. These trees are felled or hacked away in such a way that there is no chance of recovery. With increasing evidence of illegal tree cutting such as this, it is feared that Hong Kong's incense trees may end up just as vulnerable as those on the mainland.

Today, the value of the incense tree lies in its resin, which can be sustainably harvested by cutting 3-4cm deep into the bark and collecting the resin after some time. Small quantities of resin can also be extracted from blocks of wood by heating or burning. The resin (or balm) is valued in Chinese medicine for alleviation of back pain, its calming properties and promotion of proper “chi” circulation.

Sadly, it is the older trees that would contain the most resin and are, therefore, the greatest number felled.

Though the once viable incense industry, which depended on the wood of these trees, ceased long ago, the "heung" left Hong Kong a valuable legacy – its name – "Heung Gong" or Fragrant Harbour.

Photo Credit: Dr. Martin Williams, http://www.hkoutdoors.com