Legal Advice:
Pursuant to Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 258/2025/ND-CP, "public-use greenery" refers to vegetation located in street spaces (such as sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands) as well as in parks, flower gardens, public squares, and other designated public areas.
Clause 7, Article 22 of the same Decree stipulates that the planting, care, protection, pruning, removal, or relocation of public-use greenery must comply with technical regulations and standards, while ensuring traffic safety, the safety of individuals and property, and the integrity of technical infrastructure.
Accordingly, *Alstonia scholaris* (commonly known as "milk flower" or *hoa sữa*) trees planted along streets fall under the category of public-use greenery and must be managed, cared for, and pruned in accordance with established regulations.
Therefore, individuals are not permitted to prune tree branches on their own—even if the intent is merely to remove the flowers or reduce an unpleasant odor—if such actions could harm the tree or interfere with its normal growth.
In this situation, I suggest that you and other affected residents submit a formal request to the competent authorities (such as the Ward People’s Committee or the municipal greenery management company). They can review the matter and take appropriate action to address the impact on residents' health and daily lives, while ensuring compliance with legal regulations regarding the management and protection of urban greenery.
Note: Under Point b, Clause 3, Article 50 of Decree 339/2026/ND-CP, unauthorized interference with public-use greenery may result in a fine ranging from 30 million to 50 million VND for organizations, or from 15 million to 25 million VND for individuals.