SIGNIFICANT TREES AND SHRUBS IN CHANGI

by Joseph Lai, Angie Ng, Chuah Ai Lin, Marilyn Cheng
Submitted to the URA Subject Group on Rustic Coasts, 12 September 2002

View the map of location - dowload and view

Changi , A Heritage - "The Tree of Time" - Chengal Pasir felled


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The majestic old trees in Changi, many of which reach 400cm or more in girth sizes (gbh), justifiably merit this unique place as one of two Tree Conservation Areas in Singapore -- a sanctuary for at least twelve very rare and endangered species in our native flora. This includes some of the most uncommon coastal trees such as Sea Trumpet (Cordia subcordata), Chiamau (Dracaena maingayi), Sepetir (Sindora wallichii) and Mentigi (Pemphis acidula).

Ficus stricta, a new record for Singapore, has also been found within the compound of the Government Chalets. 35 to 40m tall Meranti, Merawan and Kruing trees, averaging 350cm gbh, and by conservative estimate -- 200 years old or more -- still stand tall to tell tales of bygone Lowland Dipterocarp Rain Forests that had once extended from the interiors right up to the shores.

No other coastal area on mainland Singapore today, not even Labrador Nature Reserve, can boast of such a fine collection of Dipterocarps, nor is any other local district so endowed with legends steeped in tree-stories. One of which is how Changi might have got its name from Dipterocarp tree called Chengai.

So entrenched is the legend, that in 1996, the National Youth Achievement Award Council gathered students and teachers from two secondary schools to plant 88 Chengai saplings in Changi Constituency during the Clean & Green Week. Former Changi MP Teo Chong Tee said that the trees were part of our heritage, adding that the event helped to bond the young people to the community.


The Cranwell Bungalow Sepetir tree

We are also familiar with the story of the legendary 50m tall Sepetir tree that once stood in Changi and how it was felled in 1942 to prevent the Japanese forces from ranging onto our fortress. It was such a dominant feature in the district that residents and visitors called it the 'Changi Tree'. There is another Sepetir tree still standing today in the compound of Cranwell Bungalow 3 and measures a respectable 410cm gbh [see picture on left].

Changi had figured prominently in the historical account of 'The Wayside Trees of Malaya' -- a monumental botanical work first published in 1940 by the late Professor E.J.H. Corner. Many of Changi's flora, such as Kelat Hitam, had been accounted for in this book, and can still be found flourishing in Changi today.

This is also true of other plants collected by the late H.N. Ridley in Changi a hundred years ago, such as Beruas, Paku Raja and Membatu. Their present occurrence in Changi bears living testament to the importance Changi continues to have in both botanical and historical context in local literature.

Changi is both a natural and national heritage readily identifiable and embraced by Singaporeans of all ages. To many, it is a place of natural relics and an outdoor classroom. It is also a popular place for relaxation and fun-exploration. The gentle giants of trees have indeed lent their characteristic warmth and welcoming ambience of a 'village' character to Changi. It is a well-loved corner of Singapore where many families have 'taken root' in their hearts and minds. No effort must be spared to conserve these trees for future generations of Singaporeans to come.

 
RECOMMENDATIONS
  1. To conserve all the trees listed in the Tables attached, including many of the dominant Jambul Laut, Membatu and Kelat Hitam not included in the attached map.
  2. To provide public access to these unique trees and put in place descriptive signboards and plants labels to educate the public.
  3. To provide lightning protection to trees that exceed 30m height and 300cm gbh.

Table A. Significant Trees / Shrubs in Changi

Native trees in proximity to URA's coastal boardwalks (currently under construction at the seafront of the Changi Sailing Club and Fairy Point)

Location code

Scientific Name (Common Name)

Girth of tree

Remarks

A1

Cordia subcordata (Sea Trumpet)

220cm

Near road leading to Fairy Point Bangalow 1 (marked T19 with paint by ?)

A2

Erythroxylum cuneatum (Inai Inai or Wild Cocaine)

130cm

Near road leading to Fairy Point Bangalow 1 (marked T20 with paint by ?)

A3

Vitex pubescens (Leban)

200cm

Near road leading to Fairy Point Bangalow 1 (marked with paint)

A4

Erythroxylum cuneatum (Inai Inai or Wild Cocaine)

230cm

Near road leading to Fairy Point Bangalow 1 (marked T25 with paint by ?)

A5

Calophyllum inophyllum (Penaga Laut)

190cm

Near road leading to Fairy Point Bangalow 1 (marked T24 with paint by ?)

A6

Dracaena maingayi (Chiamau)

110cm

Side of hill below Fairy Point Chalet 3

A7

Syzygium syzygioides (Kelat Hitam)

320cm

Side of hill below Fairy Point Chalet 3 (marked R80 with paint by ?)

A8

Garcinia hombroniana (Beruas or Seashore Mangosteen)

25 - 40cm

Small trees growing in rocky crevices by the sea below Fairy Point Chalet 3

A9

Elaeocarpus pedunculatus (Blunt-leafed Oil-Fruit)

180cm

Side of hill below Fairy Point Chalet 3

A10

Erythroxylum cuneatum (Beruas or Wild Cocaine)

160cm

Side of hill below Fairy Point Chalet 3

A11

Ficus kerkhovenii (Johore Fig)

>500cm

Beside Fairy Point Chalet 2

A12

Syzygium syzygioides (Kelat Hitam)

260cm

In front of Fairy Point Chalet 4

A13

Ficus kerkhovenii (Johore Fig)

>500cm

On sandy beach below Fairy Point Chalet 6

A14

Alstonia angustiloba (Pulai)

350cm

On sandy beach below Fairy Point Chalet 6

A15

Streblus elongatus (Tempinis) aka TEMPINIS TREE

200cm

On the rocky headland of Fairy Point (along the flight of stairs below Fairy Point Chalet 6)

A16

Buchanania arborescens (Otak Udang or Sparrow’s Mango)

200cm

Besides Fairy Point 6

 

Table B. Native trees in open green corridors along roads in Changi.

Location code

Scientific Name (Common Name)

Girth of tree

Remarks

B1

Dipterocarpus sublamellatus (Keruing)

350cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B2

Alstonia angustiloba (Pulai)

500cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B3

Kompassia malaccensis (Kempas)

80cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B4

Terminalia subspathulata (Jelawei)

190cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B5

Terminalia subspathulata (Jelawei)

250cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B6

Hopea sangal (Merawan)

330cm

At the junction of Cranwell Road and Loyang Avenue

B7

Shorea gibbosa (Meranti)

400cm

Netheravon Road (at junction with Turnhouse Road)

B8

Shorea gratissima (Meranti)

290cm

Turnhouse Road (outside SIA Sports Club)

B9

Gluta malayana (Rengas)

400cm

Turnhouse Road (outside SIA Sports Club)

 

Table C. Native trees inside fenced compounds (of chalets).

Location code

Scientific Name (& Common Name)

Girth of tree

Remarks

C1

Ficus stricta

630cm

Inside Government Chalets’ compound

C2

Ficus stricta

800cm

Inside Government Chalets’ compound

C3

Cycas rumphii (Paku Raja)

270cm

Inside Government Chalets’ compound

C4

Sindora wallichii (Sepetir)
aka CHANGI TREE

410cm

Inside Cranwell Bangalow 3’s compound. Same species as the famous historical tree called THE CHANGI TREE

C5

Ficus kerkhovenii (Johore Fig)

260cm

Inside Cranwell Bangalow 3’s compound

C6

Maranthes corymbosa (Membatu or Sea Beam)

>400cm

Inside Changi Cottage’s compound

C7

Gnetum gnemon (Meninjau)

90cm

Flanking the gate of Changi Cottage

 

Table D. Other native trees/shrubs growing on the rocky/sandy beach.

Location code

Scientific Name (Common Name)

Girth of tree

Remarks

D1

Pemphis acidula (Mentigi)

------

Large shrub at Changi Beach Point (opposite new Changi Point Jetty)

D2

Neolitsea zeylanica

(Tejur or Shore Laurel)

50cm

Rocky seafront of Changi Golf Club

D3

Pouteria obovata

(Menasi or Sea Gutta)

115cm

Rocky seafront of the Government Chalets

D4

Thespesia populnea

(Baru Baru)

100cm

Rocky seafront of the Government Chalets

D5

Sonneratia alba

(Perepat)

145cm

near sea boulder (marked BPCC12) at wast end of Changi Sailing Club

D6

Millettia eriantha

(Akar Pua)

------

Scrambling shrub on sandy beach near sea boulder (marked BPCC12)

 

Table E. Non-native trees of worthy mention.

Location code

Scientific Name (Common Name)

Girth of tree

Remarks

E1

Mimusops elengi (Tanjong Tree)

400cm

Inside compound of the Government Chalets

 

Tree Conservation (information source: National Parks Board)

Two areas in Singapore are designated as Tree Conservation Areas. Trees of 1m in girth (measured half a metre from ground) in these areas cannot be felled/cut without the written permission of the Commissioner, Parks and Recreation.

The 2 areas are:

  1. The area bounded by Dunearn Road, Whitley Road, Mt Pleasant Road, Thomson Road, Lornie Road, PIE, Clementi Road, Pasir Panjang Road, Telok Blangah Road, Lower Delta Road, AYE, Alexander Road, River Valley Road, Fort Canning Road and Selegie Road.
  2. The area bounded by Netheravon Road, Cranwell Road, Loyang Avenue, Loyang Way, Upper Changi Road North and Changi Village Road.