If trees would talk, then it would make writing stories on them an easy task. As this is not possible with trees in terms of talking as humans do, the way it is done to know more about them is through research, be it in science, the arts & the learning on our own or from others. 

Having an interest in gardening and trees, Mrs Chew Bee Theng (Helen Tan) was very happy to discover that a tree her husband planted around 1970 had survived the waves and tides of change and progress, and still standing strong today at busy Thomson Road (beside bus-stop no. 8 ). She had contacted NParks to request for its identification.

Angsana Tree along Thomson Rd

Hock Keong and I were both eager to meet up with Mr and Mrs chew that morning to share with them what we knew about the Angsana Tree (Pterocarpis indicus) and to find out more about what that tree meant to the couple, who are parent of four grown-up children. We measured its girth to be 4.5m and estimated height 25m.

Mr & Mrs Chew

They told us that up to about 2000, they had operated a coffee shop, food and drinks business at Thomson Rd. Mr Chew, a young man then, was helping his dad at their shop when three cut branch saplings were planted around 1971 onto the site in front of the building block along the road. This surviving tree is the middle one as the other two had long been removed (or killed by termites?) and replaced with Yellow Flames (Peltophorum pterocarpum). During those days, an older and more experienced neighbour had taught him how to grow Angsana tree saplings from cut branches and they had salvaged the tree cut branch saplings from other pruned trees for planting at this site.

Mr Chew also encouraged other shop tenants to do the same as well in front of their block. Within 5 years, the trees planted had grown a canopy each to provide some shade to the shop houses. Planting trees and gardening had certainly brough fond memories for these folks in this community. They had hoped that this tree would continue to be retained and maintained, even after they were no longer tenants of the shop.

Mr &Mrs Chew, and Ms Yap.

As at June 2008, Mrs Chew expressed gratitude and thanks for the survival of this Angsana tree, which had provided the much needed shade for their shop in those days from the mid day and setting sun. She was delighted she is able to take pictures of this tree with her family. She also told us that she has a balcony garden, filled with potted plants at her apartments in Woodlands which she enjoyed with her neighbours. Her friends and visitors had exclaimed in delight that her garden is like a forest! Hurray!

Brendon Phuah