I Climb 10-Storey Trees For A Living | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts:

• Heritage Trees: Trees with significant aesthetic, botanical, cultural, social, and historical value, and a girth size of at least 5 meters.
• Arborists: Tree doctors who care for the health and well-being of trees.
• Sonic Tomography: A non-invasive method using sound waves to detect internal decay or cavities in trees.
• Resistance Drill: A tool used to measure the resistance of wood, indicating potential decay or damage.
• NParks (National Parks Board): The Singaporean government agency responsible for managing and maintaining the country's green spaces.
• Singapore Botanic Gardens: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a high density of heritage trees.
• Pasir Panjang Nursery: The largest nursery in Singapore, managed by NParks, where trees are nurtured from seed to sapling.

Heritage Trees in Singapore

• Definition and Qualification: To be classified as a heritage tree in Singapore, a tree must have a girth size of at least 5 meters and possess aesthetic, botanical, cultural, social, and historical value.
• Keruing Kerut: An example of a heritage tree located at a traffic junction, estimated to be around 100 years old and currently standing at 37 meters tall with the potential to reach 67 meters.
• Raintrees along Connaught Drive: Iconic trees planted in the 1800s, now over 130 years old, that have witnessed significant historical events in Singapore.
• Tembusu: A heritage tree in the Botanic Gardens, featured on the S$5 note, symbolizing endurance and Singapore's heritage. It has stood in the Botanic Gardens since the 1800s.

Arborists and Tree Care

• Role of Arborists: Arborists, like Jia Hwa from NParks, are responsible for maintaining the health and structural integrity of trees, including heritage trees.
• Visual Inspection: Arborists use binoculars to look for dead, decayed, or diseased branches that need to be removed to prevent hazards.
• Sonic Tomography: This technology uses sensors and a sounding hammer to send sound waves through the wood, creating a tomogram that reveals the internal condition of the tree. Brown indicates healthy wood, green suggests stress, purple indicates decay, and blue indicates a cavity.
• Resistance Drill: This tool measures the resistance of the wood to detect decay or damage. Lower resistance indicates potential decay.

Singapore Botanic Gardens and Heritage Trees

• High Density of Heritage Trees: The Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a high concentration of heritage trees due to its age (over 160 years).
• Dr. Thereis's Role: Dr. Thereis has spent years studying the heritage trees in the Botanic Gardens, monitoring their growth and health.
• Marsh Pulai: A swamp forest tree within the Gardens that predates the Gardens' founding, requiring routine checks by certified climbers.
• Tree Climbers: NParks employs certified climbers who inspect branches, collect samples (e.g., flowers), and assess the overall health of trees from the canopy.

Tree Propagation and Nurseries

• Pasir Panjang Nursery: The largest nursery in Singapore, managed by NParks, spanning the size of 16 football fields and housing over 2,000 plant species.
• Arthur's Role: Arthur and his team nurture trees from seed to sapling, preparing them for planting in parks, roadsides, and public spaces.
• Tarenna Fragrans: A rare coastal species found in Singapore's swamp forests, propagated from carefully extracted seeds.
• Propagation Process: Seeds are planted in propagation trays with specialized soil media, and seedlings are later transferred to bags for further growth.
• Selection Criteria: When raising young trees, arborists look for good form and structure, typically an upright structure, indicating healthy growth.

Conclusion

The preservation of heritage trees in Singapore is a deliberate and ongoing effort involving arborists, advanced technology, and dedicated nurseries. These trees serve as a connection to the past, providing a sense of stability and continuity in a rapidly changing urban environment. The work of nurturing and protecting these trees is driven by the understanding that "someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree here a long time ago," emphasizing the long-term impact of their efforts.