Who did yew root fir? Hong Kong’s favourite trees, according to a public vote

This handsome silk tree in Kwun Tong won the “Remarkable Form and Size” category. 

Hong Kong has voted! On our favourite trees, that is.

The Development Bureau – you know, the department responsible for tearing down trees in order to erect new buildings – held a public vote for a contest on “our favourite old and valuable trees” around Hong Kong.

Out of the 500 trees officially listed as “old and valuable”, three won prizes in each of the four categories: “Remarkable Form and Size”, “Botanical and Ecological Value”, “Historical and Cultural Significance”, and “Contribution in Landscape Setting”.

Check if your favourite tree made the cut here!

This amazing Chinese Banyan, which grew around an old abandoned house, won the most votes overall.

There has been no word on how the trees celebrated, but we hope they got trunk.

Paul Chan, the Secretary for Development, suggested in September of last year that Hong Kong start building flats in country parks. 

Perhaps he is trying to apologise to the trees for making such a horrible suggestion by giving them prizes.