On Sunday, a large dead branch overhanging the Farmgate road adjacent to Monipuripara crashed onto the road. Luckily, the spot where it fell was unoccupied at the time, but traffic was blocked for almost thirty minutes before some people from a nearby tempo stand hauled it away.

This was not the first time that a dead branch collapsed onto the road at this location. In April 2006, two people were killed by a heavy branch that crushed their CNG auto-rickshaw as it waited at the traffic signal.

Dr. Syed Hadiuzzaman, professor of Botany at Dhaka University (DU) and DU Arboriculture division in-charge, said dead branches, whether on a diseased or a healthy tree, are very brittle and prone to breaking, and should be trimmed away immediately. "Regular trimming is the best way to preserve the beautiful old trees in the city, and make sure the branches do not fall onto passers-by," according to him

Unfortunately, it is not only dead trees that fall, as extended branches of old trees are often pulled down by their own weight. There have been multiple cases of unsupported drooping branches being struck down during storms in Farmgate, Indira Road, Kakrail, DU campus, and other parts of the city.

"It also depends what kind of tree. Old krishnachura trees, raintrees, and very tall old albizzia trees like the ones opposite Curzon Hall become weaker with age, and are more prone to breaking in a storm than trees like mahogany, which are very stable even in old age," said Dr. Hadiuzzaman.

He stressed however, that wherever possible, the trees should be preserved. "Many of these magnificent old trees have taken years to grow, some planted during the British colonial period. To chop them down would mean cutting away a piece of our heritage," he said.

In developed countries, the common practice is to prune trees every year, generally in February-March, in a way that restores balance to the trees, and brings center of mass back to the main trunk. Where extended branches are cut away, the spot is often sealed with bitumen or asphalt so that the branch does not re-grow, but rather the tree grows straight upwards.

Another alternative is to tie the top of the tree to four firmly grounded poles, which will make the tree grow straight instead of leaning over the road, and support the weight of its branches. In Japan, where this practice is quite popular, the poles are usually made of pine, but according to experts, any material can be used that matches the strength of the particular tree concerned.

As regards dead trees, the only option is to chop them down, but only if their condition is such that no new branches may grow. These can be distinguished by their dry, ashen appearance, and the stubbed, leafless branches at the top that have earned them the name 'stag-headed trees'.

Mohammad Fosiullah, Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Executive Officer for Zone-6, said that the several dead trees lining the Farmgate road had caught his attention, and he had already filed a report with DCC Chief Wealth Department to auction the trees for removal.

"I filed the report on July 16th, and in next few days it should be attended to. Auctioning may take 15 days, and then the dead trees, not only of the Farmgate road, but in my whole zone, will be removed for public safety," he said.