Hong Kong government outlines strategy to manage and remove Leucaena leucocephala
Hong Kong authorities are stepping up efforts to manage the invasive species Leucaena leucocephala, known locally as silver wattle. The government plans to use artificial-intelligence technology for identification, enforce removal within two to three weeks of discovery, and enhance public education,
The Hong Kong government has detailed its strategy for managing and removing the invasive species Leucaena leucocephala, or silver wattle, following a legislative council question on 11 November 2026. Authorities described the plant as a resilient foreign invasive species that hinders local species' natural succession and poses safety risks due to its brittle branches, which can break or collapse during strong winds.
In response to the question, the government confirmed that tree-management departments must follow technical directives from the Development Bureau. During annual pre-typhoon inspections and post-typhoon checks, departments assess trees in high-traffic areas and, upon discovering Leucaena leucocephala, arrange removal within two to three weeks. For plants along roads or highways requiring temporary traffic diversions, removal may take longer but is prioritised.
Routine plant maintenance includes regular inspections every six months by the Highways Department of slopes and planting areas, and similar work by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in green spaces. Outsourced contracts require contractors to remove undesirable species, including Leucaena leucocephala, during maintenance. The technical directives specify that departments may directly remove such trees without prior approval or compensation, and they are not required to transplant them.
The government acknowledged that large-scale removal alone cannot eradicate the species due to its resilience. Instead, departments continuously remove stumps and seedlings to deplete the soil seed bank, and replant vegetation to establish stable cover. To improve efficiency, the government is exploring the use of artificial-intelligence (AI) technology to identify Leucaena leucocephala along roadsides through image analysis and smart recognition systems, enabling faster mapping and removal.
On public education, the Development Bureau has shared information via various channels. In late 2025, it launched a television programme called 森動香港 (Forest Hong Kong) with Radio Television Hong Kong, which covered silver wattle management. The bureau will continue using social media, school materials, public seminars, online lectures, journal articles, and workshops to raise awareness. However, the government stated that removal should be conducted by trained professionals or contractors, as the plants often grow along roads, on slopes, or in wasteland. Members of the public are advised not to participate in removal but can report sightings to relevant departments or the 1823 hotline.