COURTESY HAWAII COUNTY
A tree on Banyan Drive in Hilo, above, is being removed following an assessment that found it to be a safety hazard because of its structual instability.
A banyan tree that has been deemed a “public safety hazard” is being removed from Banyan Drive in Hilo, Hawaii County officials said.
A traffic lane closure is in effect on Banyan Drive to allow a contractor to remove the tree, which is not one of the named trees along the route, according to a Hawaii County news release.
An assessment recently done on 48 banyan trees
on Banyan Drive identified the single tree for removal because of structural
instability.
According to the assessment, conducted by a certified arborist, the tree’s structural defects and recent canopy failure “creates a significant public safety hazard.”
The tree has lost about 20% of its crown, and any additional failure could occur over the roadway, officials said.
The assessment was done after two women were killed in July when a large banyan tree on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo collapsed. That tree was on state land.
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“This emergency action is part of our efforts to protect public safety and ensure that this iconic part of Hilo gets the care and attention it deserves,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in the news release.
In addition, the county has a contract out to bid for maintenance of other Banyan Drive trees that will focus on removing invasive species, aerial roots and deadwood, county officials said.
As the contractor
removes the tree, the south-bound lane of Banyan Drive between Banyan Way and Kamehameha Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the county. The work is scheduled to be completed by Feb. 12.