Taichung to remove 80 troublesome blackboard trees and plant crape myrtles instead

Taichung plans to remove 80 blackboard trees along Jungong Road, not because the city is indiscriminately cutting trees, officials say, but because the trees have become a persistent source of complaints.

The trees stand along Jungong Road Section 2 between Dongshan Road and Taiyuan Road in Beitun District. As their trunks and roots have grown, some roots have lifted and damaged the asphalt, affecting driving conditions and increasing risks for road users. The species also has relatively low wood density, and strong typhoon winds have repeatedly broken branches that struck nearby vehicles and facilities.

The city’s Construction Bureau held an on-site meeting with local councilors, village chiefs and civic groups. Officials explained the trees’ condition, the reasons for removal and the timetable, and said the participants reached a consensus on removing the roadside trees in two stages.

The first stage is scheduled to begin in early September, with 23 trees on the west side of Jungong Road to be handled first. The remaining 57 trees are expected to be removed gradually by the end of the year. The phased work aims to reduce disruption to traffic and nearby residents while improving the road surface and safety. Taichung plans to plant 67 small-flowered crape myrtles, a species residents have recently favored.

The bureau said small-leaf Indian almonds, blackboard trees and Chinese parasol trees rank among Taichung’s top three most disliked roadside species. Their surface roots can break up sidewalks, and some trees may also produce unpleasant odors, leading residents to call for their removal.