Banyan Trees of Hong Kong

Banyan trees are common in Hong Kong. They are a visually striking bunch. One tree can keep putting down new roots and growing outwards into a sprawling cluster. It could cover sidewalks and walls. It’s a beloved tree.

A few years ago during a typhoon, a pregnant woman was tragically killed by a fallen banyan tree while waiting for a taxi. And the Hong Kong government, in its classic fashion, decided to cut down all banyan trees they deemed dangerous. It’s a whole stupid story I don’t want to get into. Luckily, years later, many of the trees that had been cut down came back to life. I’m glad stupidity did not prevail here.

When I lived in Kennedy Town on the west end of the Hong Kong Island, there was a small street called Davis Street full of restaurants, bars and coffee shops. On one side of the street, a huge wall was covered by a banyan tree. And here’s a photo of that wall.

Here’s another tree.

And that’s it. Just some trees I miss.