I can’t do anything about the Braddell Angsana which was chopped down yesterday morning. So much has been said in opposition to this move, yet the tree wasn’t spared.
What I can do (and have done) is this: I’ve nominated another Angsana tree for Heritage Tree status.
This grand Angsana tree is located along Victoria Street, in between the former Saint Anthony’s Boys’ School and St. Joseph’s Church. I am not sure if it fits all the criteria, namely “a girth size of 5m, rarity of species, aesthetic, historical significance, cultural reason, social and educational value”, but I hope that my application is successful.
The Victoria Street Angsana has provided shade to generations of students and churh-goers, myself included. According to the Saint Anthony’s Primary school website, the tree has been around at least since the 1920s (scroll down to the black and white photos). It was already the same height as the school then – 3 storeys high.
The tree kept up with the school when it added a 4th level! Now, it has grown past the former primary school, matching the height of St. Joseph’s Church’s rooftop.
I have scraped my knee underneath its shade. The tree has sheltered many Children’s Day and Teacher’s Day celebrations. It has shaded my father too – we are both Anthonians. The tree was there when I was baptised at St. Joseph’s! Many Portuguese Eurasians associated with the church and the school will remember this tree with great affection.
I hope that this wonderful tree will be declared a Heritage Tree.
Technorati Tags: victoria street, saint anthony’s boys’ school, saint joseph’s church, heritage tree, singapore, national parks board, angsana
Lam Chun See
/ Monday, 16 July 2007Yes I hope they will preserve this tree. But as for the Braddell Road tree, I think it wasn’t rational to keep it. Imagine spending millions to build a flyover and then requiring motorists to slow down to avoid this big tree right in the middle of the path.
What I think tree lovers should be more concerned about are the hundreds, maybe even thousands of trees, big and small that have been cut down in places like Old Holland Road, and the former Sussex Estate near Clementi Road/Dover Road junction, just to let the land lie idle for years.
acroamatic
/ Monday, 16 July 2007The flyover goes past the tree. Those entering Braddell Road from Marymount Road would have to slow down.
Still, it doesn’t take that much slowing down. My colleague who occasionally gives me a lift drives past the tree on the way home. He doesn’t slow down that much and has never had trouble avoiding the angsana.
I agree with you about the mass removal of trees. However, that’s more difficult to prevent. If the authorities claim they are clearing an area for development, how are we going to know when they will start developing, if they do at all?
Reading your post, I was surprised that you mentioned the CJC case. I’ve not heard about that in a long while. There was a nasty rumour that one of the teachers did it. As I said, nasty rumour.
Lam Chun See
/ Wednesday, 18 July 2007Pardon my frankness; I think it’s people like your friend that caused the LTA to act. By not slowing down they increased the risk of accidents. I use that part quite often. Those guys not slowing down gave me a lot of stree. Hence, I must say, I am glad they are chopping down the tree.
As for the mass clearing, it’s really sad isn’t it. I mean, we are not talking about months but years of depriving the animals of their habitat and Sporeans the greenery.
Lam Chun See
/ Wednesday, 18 July 2007Oops .. I mean ‘stress’.. Especially the big vehicles.
acroamatic
/ Wednesday, 18 July 2007Chun See, no pardon needed lah.
I don’t think it’s people like my friend who caused the LTA to act. He wasn’t speeding; he just didn’t slow down to 40 km/h. If they chopped down the tree because of near-misses, it must be because someone – as Singaporeans are wont to do – complained about it.
The dangerous part of the road is about 50 metres before the bifurcated (never knew there was such a word until last week) section. I think it’s near the bus stop where Marymount Road joins up with Braddell Road. Now, that’s dangerous if you’re not going slowly. That part of the road is almost like a double chicane.
Yah, it is really sad. I happened to chance upon it while looking for something else in Google Maps this afternoon. That is quite a large area that they cleared.