Wish Upon Plastic

The Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree has a temporary plastic cousin.

The 4.5 metre tree was put up to renew the tradition of throwing wishes into the branches, a practice banned after the 2005 Lunar New Year incident during which an overloaded branch on the sickly Chinese banyan snapped off and landed on two worshippers. Since then the original tree has been shored up and pampered in a bid to stave off death, and so far it's working. But the living tree won't ever be able to catch wishes attached to oranges, nor would another live tree: that act is what almost killed it.

Later in 2009 a 7 metre plastic tree will replace the shorter version, and though it won't be as tall as the 9 metre banyan, people will once again enjoy the excitement of hurling their wishes skyward in the hope they will catch a branch and come true.

The best part is that a plastic tree will never succumb to insects, parasites, viruses or fungal infections. And if it ever starts looking raggedy, a new one can take its place.

Meanwhile the benevolent spirit said to grant wishes can stay cozy in the original tree, safe in the knowledge that its home will never again be vandalised.

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