Tokyo Ginkgo Tree Branch Collapse: A Tragic Incident

A ginkgo tree branch fell in Hino City, Tokyo, killing a 36-year-old man who was trapped underneath. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the branch broke under its own weight, with no signs of rot or corrosion.

Incident Details

On the evening of the 12th, a branch of a ginkgo tree near a residential complex in Tamadaira, Hino City, fell, crushing a man who was walking underneath. Investigations revealed that the branch broke off from a height of over 30 feet, with no signs of rot or corrosion.

Experts suggest that the weight of the ginkgo tree’s fruits, which grow in mid-September, may have contributed to the branch’s collapse. Hino City officials stated that regular inspections of tree branches are conducted, with the last visual inspection taking place in July, revealing no abnormalities.

Background on Ginkgo Trees in Hino City

The ginkgo trees in the area are believed to have been planted since the 1960s, with the city managing the green space to preserve the landscape. A contracted landscaping company regularly trims grass and branches, with the last tree trimming done in November last year.

City officials had planned to prune the branches after autumn, when the ginkgo leaves have fallen, due to citizen complaints about overgrown branches. In response to the incident, Hino City dispatched personnel to conduct emergency inspections of the city’s green spaces.

Expert Insights

Akira Kobayashi, director of the Japan Arborist Society, visited the site and suggested that the tree that broke was likely a female tree bearing fruit, which caused the branch to break and fall. He emphasized the importance of administrators taking immediate action to prevent such incidents, especially with trees planted after the war growing larger and posing a greater risk.

Similar Incidents Across Japan

Several incidents have occurred across Japan, resulting in fatalities and injuries from falling trees. In August last year, a branch from a 160-year-old ginkgo tree broke and fell, killing a school principal in Kagoshima Prefecture. Other incidents include a tree breaking off at a campsite in Kanagawa Prefecture, killing a woman and seriously injuring her husband, and a man dying after colliding with a fallen tree on a national highway in Aomori Prefecture.

National Statistics on Fallen Trees

Last year, the government conducted a nationwide investigation, revealing an average of approximately 5,200 fallen trees per year on roads operated by national and prefectural governments. Of these, about 3,700 trees were caused by strong winds, and 1,500 trees were caused by aging or root rot.

Government Response

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Saito expressed condolences to the victim’s family and emphasized the need for park managers to take necessary precautions. He noted that a similar incident occurred in Hiroshima last year, resulting in injuries, and that the ministry had issued warnings, but a fatal accident still occurred.