Tree
Wild growing Albizia tree
Due to the fast growing speed, Albizia tree (Falcataria moluccana) has never been the roadside tree in Singapore. The trees were first grown in Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1870 and later shifted to waste ground where it start proliferate.
Albizia is a can grow from sapling to a tree in 35 feet (10.7m) tall, within 13 months. The huge number of seeds in pods can multiply in the wild.
Although, the tree is beautiful and widely spread like a green canopy. But the branches may prone to fall over the stormy rain, and cast a danger to the road users. Since then, Albizia tree has been out under Tree Conservation Area (TCA) due to it reality and practicality.
Why are tree trunks in round tube form?
Have you ever wonder why tree trunks are all round in section but not in other shapes?
Life form always made its way towards the most adaptable and comfortable environment.
That applies to plants too!
Based on the same circumference, area for a circle is the largest among other shapes. Trees made used of this natural advantage and cleverly channel the nutrition through this concept.
Shapes in circular are more resistant to external damaging. Imagine a square or flat surface tree trunk will provide a suitable angle for animals’ chews and gobbles.
Round shapes also provide less wind resistant, an ideal way to bypass the impact of wind force from the external surf.
This great wise man on earth inspired the shape of the lamppost. It takes hundreds of, millions of years of self-development to acquire the stage now.
Day in, day out, we take things for granted. So, do we know the moral of the story now…?
Rain tree shading you from the rain
Rain tree is one of the common species in Singapore. By tilting your head anytime, any days, you see a giant smiling at you warm-heartedly.
Albizia saman or samanea saman is the scientific name of a rain tree. The name of this tree arises from its behaviors, as the leaves will be closed up in the evening and in rainy weather. Therefore, it also has a Malay name Pukul Lima meaning 5 o’clock tree.
The trees located next to Evans Lodge are magnificently huge and wide with lavishly grown weeds creeping all over its body and branches.
So much so it has became part of the tree’s body; no one can split them up, as they must grow as a whole.
A bird nest fern also belongs to part of the community.
Not one or two, they just live together simply to shade us from rain and sun.
A Bucida tree will never turn you down
I got to know Bucida molineti tree since the day I shifted here some 12 years ago. At that time, it was a man with the height of his childhood. But then, he’s as tall as a four storey apartment now, and I’m sure he is holding an important role in decorates our neighborhood landscapes.
Attracted by this lovely tree, right from the sleek silhouette to the elegant exterior it portrays. The tiny arms and the leafy evergreens express himself in a refine and delicate manner.
Leafs are gently small compared to the size of the body. By saying that, he seems like standing on a moderate path, offering the blue sky to us and at the same time shading us from the cheerful bright sun.
I like walking on pavements shaded with these trees, under their widely open arms. Sometimes, the dropping leaves may accidentally got stuck on my glasses, but the kiss of it is so light and soft that I felt like it’s the teardrops of the tree.
Taking a second look at it, does it strike a chord on you? Yes, it looks like an upside down Christmas tree. So the next time you bump into one, ask him “where have all the Christmas trees gone?” I believe his answer will never turn you down.
The Tree of Life
Baobab tree has many other names. Bottle tree, tabaldi, monkey bread tree or dead rat tree just to name a few.
It has a life span of up to many thousands years though the tree age can’t be verified by the tree ring, as bottle tree doesn’t produce annual rings like some others.
I see that these trees living in a corner of the Singapore Botanic Gardens are much younger compared to those living in Africa in terms of its stature.
There are many remarkable and iconic Baobab growing in Africa. Judging by the shape, this tree undoubtedly could be one of the famous trees in Madagascar.
The Baobab tree is also called the Tree of Life. Reason being it not only provides shade but food and water for living beings. The bark can be used as rope or cloth where the leaves are used as condiments and medicines. The tree trunk can store water up to hundreds of litres during rainy season and the tree are able to produce fruit later on in the year when everything around them is dry and barren. The fruit named Monkey Bread is rich in vitamin C and it’s edible. It is easy to see why baobab is referred to as The Tree of Life.
The matured trees are usually hollow. It magnanimously provides a sheltered space for human and animals sharing with him the same roof and joining him as a family.
The fame of this tree can’t be denied. The Baobab tree is also being selected and featured in some Disney’s movie like ‘The Lion King’. So the next time you see a tree, you may be chancing into the Tree of Life, a tree of fame on this fertile earth.
Amazing root-way of this Kapok tree
This is one of the Heritage tree in Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Kapok tree.
According to the information board, this tree loves the sun and is fast growing. In the past, people made used of this white cottony pulp to stuff cushions, pillow, mattresses and life jackets etc.
This tall tree is native to tropical America. The broad, straight trunk is the distinctive feature of this old tree.
Standing next to it you’ll be amazed by how huge and tall the portrait of this tree is!
I have no clue and there isn’t a sign stating how old the tree is. By the snake crawl-like roots, it’s enough to judge and convince he is a decisive and fortitude man.
This also crocodile like roots exposed the hard side of nature. So, do these roots inspire you? Have you wonder how deep can he penetrate and how far he has traveled?
Who is going to protect them?
This is one of the Locust tree in Singapore Botanic Gardens, name Hymenaea courbaril. It is a common species in tropical America and used it in furniture, flooring and for decorative purposes.
Beside tall and widely spread in radius and this tree is also protected by lightning protection system. It safeguards the tree from damage due to lightning.
The tree shades us from rain and sun, and giving us oxygen without any pay back. So what is in our mind when we look at him under his unconditional love and protection?
Are we able to feel grateful about that? Being protected and protect them in return?
Tree in the staircases
There are plenty of scenes to enjoy in plant world. We can stroll along the forest, watching wild plants lavishly growing under the sky or make a trip to the garden watching the sunray seeping through the leaves in between.
But this dedicated scene was captured at the border of the Orchard district outside the SOTA.
This is just a tree and it is just one tree!
Standing alone and above all, together with this sleek building. Encompassed with grandeur where buildings, staircases and even roads have to give way to him. It must be an unusual tree, I believe. Given the careful design of the surrounding, I’m sure this tree must have some history behind to share.
Shadow of the tree shades the building from the sun, and the wall naturally washed-out by nature’s providence.
Huge tree is growing larger than it’s expected. How are they going to make way for their soaring height?
Inconspicuous aluminum air-vents allow the rooting of the plant to breathe.
It’s great to see this tree being retained by the authority concerned and be part of our nation. And even more glad, to see green mind blossoming within a city!
61) Who are they footing outside Singapore Botanic Gardens
We always stumbled over the grand entrance whenever we enter a brand new tourist spot. The next moment we just can’t wait to see the new adventures coming your way. So gate crash!
And we ignored the little fairies calling outside the entrance that made up the big picture as a whole.
This may happen in Singapore Botanic Gardens but not the way I perceive it.
They are not invisible, they are just lying low.
They are as gorgeous as fairy.
They are the encyclopedias in silent I should read.
So who are they…?
Some I don’t know, some I knew, but most importantly, they need to be known!
Young ginger changing himself in blush!
Banana flower dressing up in pink!!
Floating musical notes!!!
Listen to the Weeping Tea tree’s calling!!!!
Where are your bamboo friends, My Bamboo Orchid?
Bring them outside the fence. We need more fans!!!!!
31) Seed Song
I got a rubber tree seed
That’s seeking a place to please
I show him around my home, invite him for a sit
He looks happy
And start to present me his speech
What a joyful thing I have seen
What a lovely guy he is
Footing in the forest
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
I got a pine tree seed
That’s seeking for a place to live
I show him my pine wood seats
He’s dancing happily
And singing in high pitch
What a joyful thing I have did
What a kind guy he is
Standing in the forest
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
I got a coniferous tree seed
That’s seeking for a place to ease
I show him my cozy seats
He’s singing happily
And toasting in high spirits
What a joyful thing I have seen
What a simple guy he is
Standing under the moon
Harmonize with the green
This is our home sweet dream
Our three guy’s dreams
AddGrainOnEarth 