Hong Kong urban tree lesson

**Chinese International School**

Year 10 Geography-Science
Interdisciplinary Lesson
**Urban Trees**

February 2008

The Science and Geography teachers of CIS in conjunction with the HK Civil Engineering Development Department (CEDD)
prepared a double lesson focused on Hong Kong's urban trees. The lesson looked at the benefits which Urban Trees
have both locally and globally, the constraints which must be considered, biologically and logistically and, to put
their knowledge in practice, the students went out and carried out a survey on the trees around our school.
Finally, the students were encouraged to follow-up their experiences with a survey around their own neighbourhood
and if warranted, to contact the the CEDD for follow-up.
Below are pictures from the afternoon and links to the relevant documents and resources which were used
Students pre reading field instructions	Teaching Resources MYP Lesson Planner Student's Handbook Large Scale Maps of Survey Sections Tree Key for Braemar Hill Civil Engineering and Development Department. CEDD Web site on Urban Green Plan Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects
Lecture on HK Urban Tree planning	Happy tree surveyor!
Elizabeth Leven from the CEDD providing the back ground on HK Urban Tree planning.	Thoughtful tree surveyor.
Checking out the Tree Key when identifying the different species around our school.	Checking the tree keys.
One of the slides from the CEDD presentation - root spread width relative to the crown width.	Noting the condition of trees.
Master plan for Kowloon and HK Island.	Trees are incredibly adaptable.
Checking out one of the species near the ESF residences.	Cement around the trunk!
One of the insects found in the trees and now on the students field guide -	Checking keys!
Kathy Ng, landscape architect from the CEDD, providing CIS students with valuable professional knowledge about our neighbourhood trees.	That's one tall tree - boy we're lucky up here on the hill.
Slide from the presentation - what happens to roots when not provided enough space for growth.	Ouch, that must hurt!
Ms. Papper giving guidance - Geography Teacher.	Mr. O'Connor leading his group - Science Teacher
Ms. Leven - illustrating the difficulties encountered in HK when trying to select locations for urban trees.	Hey, did I miss a tree?