10/04/2026
Every year, the Scouts visit native tree expert and conservationist Paul Melsom, on his extensive tree project behind Mui Wo on Lantau Island. Paul has been planting this forest for more than 25 years and we lend a hand to maintain the forest. But first, on 21 March 2026, we had to get there - carrying stream water and supplies up up up the hill. Once on top, we made tree guards to protect young saplings from rodents, grazing buffalo and grass cutters. We also cleared ferns and weeds from the hillside ahead of Ching Ming, a high season for forest fires. Along the way, Paul taught us about common trees we see in Hong Kong. We identified - horsetail, Chinese banyan, paperbark, turn-in-the -wind, bauhinia, camphor, elephant ear, Indian almond, a mimosa bush. How many can you recognise?
