Hong Kong Man Saves Grandpa's Trees With Adoption Program

When Ken Mak learned his family's Hong Kong village would be demolished for development, he refused to let his grandfather's legacy be crushed by excavators.

The 47-year-old flower farmer from Yick Yuen Tsuen came up with a creative solution: tree adoption. Within just one week, he catalogued 53 fruit trees from his family farm and a nearby church, recording each tree's species, height, and measurements.

Mak photographed every tree and compiled the information into a detailed catalogue. He then led tours through the property, introducing potential adopters to the decades-old trees that his grandfather had lovingly planted.

The response has been heartening. Fourteen trees have already been adopted by people who want to give them a second chance at life.

"My hope is to find kind-hearted people willing to adopt the trees my grandfather planted and give them a chance to avoid being crushed to death by excavators," Mak told the South China Morning Post. His family must vacate their home by late May.

The 30 fruit trees belonging to his family are part of 2,000 trees in the village, which sits within the Hung Shui Kiu development area. The site will transform into a high-end professional services and logistics hub under Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis megaproject.

The Ripple Effect

Mak's tree adoption campaign shows how one person's determination can mobilize a community to preserve living history. By creating a simple system and inviting others to participate, he transformed what could have been a sad ending into an opportunity for new beginnings.

Each adopted tree carries forward not just botanical life, but the memory of his grandfather's care and the connection between generations. The trees will continue bearing fruit in new locations, spreading both literal and figurative seeds of hope.

Mak's initiative proves that even in the face of inevitable change, creativity and community spirit can save what matters most.