After being brutally uprooted by a super typhoon, a 50-year-old Indian banyan tree that served as the heart of Hong Kong’s Oi Man Estate in Ho Man Tin is now the subject of an ambitious and novel ecological conservation effort. Instead of sending the fallen giant to a landfill—the fate of roughly 60,000 tonnes of wood annually in the city—local authorities and conservationists intervened to manually re-erect the massive trunk, hoping to coax life back into the community landmark before spring. The pioneering preservation strategy aims not only for botanical revival but also to uphold the decades of shared memory the tree represented for thousands of residents.
A Conservation Effort Built on Community Ties
The venerable banyan, which reached the height of nine stories, defined the landscape of Oi Man Estate for half a century, weaving itself into the daily lives and family traditions of residents. Locals recall using its vast canopy for shade, holding Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern gatherings beneath its branches, and watching elderly neighbors exercise next to it each morning. When Super Typhoon Ragasa ripped through the area in September 2025, toppling the beloved icon, the community mourned the loss.
Facing severe site constraints that prevented the use of heavy machinery, the Housing Department employed an intricate, low-tech method to save the tree. Workers carefully pruned the damaged limbs to significantly reduce the weight of the enormous tree. They then used the remaining mass, combined with basic physical principles, to manually leverage the main trunk back into an upright position near its original location. Eyewitnesses described the moment the trunk “sprang back” as miraculous.
The Road to Revival Remains Uncertain
Following the critical re-erection phase, the trunk base was carefully replanted. Conservationists have installed protective panels and wrapped the trunk in shade netting to mitigate sun scorch and maintain a stable environment. The Housing Department is providing regular watering, monitoring root moisture, and topping up the soil to encourage root recovery through the dry winter months.
While no new shoots have appeared two months after the dramatic rescue, the department remains cautiously optimistic. Arborists note that replanting the base is merely the first step; the ultimate success of the revival remains uncertain. Officials project that if the roots are stable and successfully re-establish, signs of new growth could emerge in the spring.
Preserving Memory and Cultivating the Next Generation
Beyond the physical structure of the banyan, the conservation project has focused on preserving its legacy. Recognizing the tree’s emotional value, the Housing Department sent pruned branches for propagation, reporting that the cuttings are in good condition. If successful, these saplings could be used for replanting within the estate, potentially allowing a “next generation” of residents to grow up alongside the tree’s descendants.
Furthermore, sections of the wood that were removed during the initial trimming were not disposed of. Instead, the wood was transformed into timber products by the environmental social enterprise Hong Kong Timberbank, offering residents and admirers a tangible piece of the cherished landmark.
This unique conservation case highlights the urgent need to value and protect urban green space. While the Oi Man banyan received extraordinary attention due to its community significance, conservation advocates emphasize that most average fallen trees end up discarded, urging the public to appreciate urban nature before it is lost. The fate of the Oi Man Giant will be closely watched over the coming months, serving as a critical barometer for future urban tree conservation efforts across Hong Kong.