Fruit trees at root of tiff

While some residents enjoy the shade, fruit and scenery, others worry about insects and security
Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times 6 Dec 09;

A small thicket of fruit trees has planted seeds of discord between neighbours in Marsiling Rise.

On one side are the tree-huggers, who say the chiku, jackfruit, rambutan and other trees provide shade, fruit and pleasant scenery.

Birds come by, greeting residents with their trills.

On the other side are the bug-swatters, who find the proximity of the trees, just metres from the nearest blocks, reason to fret about pesky insects and breeding sites.

Security is a concern too.

The trees were planted in the past decade, or possibly even earlier, on a small hillside abutting on the Housing Board estate.

But saplings grow into tall shady trees.

Says housewife Mardziyah Muhammad Noor, 50, who lives on the third storey of Block 116: 'It's very dark below at night. My three daughters have to walk past the area. Anyone could be hiding there.'

She has another worry: 'The trees were planted so haphazardly, mosquitoes and bugs may be breeding there.'

Added her neighbour, Madam Hamisa Said, 46, also a housewife: 'Residents below are unaffected but the leaves reach our third-storey flat. We also have to put up with bugs attracted to the fruits flying in.'

Sembawang Town Council, which is in charge of the area, wrote to the residents last month. It said unauthorised planting on common property was not allowed.

The council said it would start removing the trees from Nov16, but it has yet to do so.

Meanwhile, a petition from 21 residents has been sent in, appealing to the council for the trees to be saved.

Dr Praema Raghavan- Gilbert, 68, who has been living in the estate for 16 years, said: 'Many of the trees were planted by an elderly woman after her son died from cancer.

'Gardening was therapy to her and the trees have brought shade, fruit and scenery to the residents.'

The retired doctor added that while the council has provided a communal gardening spot, it is 'very small and fenced in'.

She has also written to The Straits Times Forum page, repeating her appeal for only 'selective culling of trees that pose a threat to health or property'.

Businessman K. Pakianathan, 45, who planted a neem tree on the hillside five years ago, is one of the petitioners.

He has used leaves from the tree to soothe itchy skin.

He said: 'I moved here 12 years ago because of the greenery. I haven't had any mosquito or insect problems. Why must the trees go?'

A fellow petitioner, retiree Chia Pee Keng, 57, said: 'I don't mind if they trim the trees or tidy the area, but don't just clear the whole area and leave it un-landscaped.'

A Sembawang Town Council spokesman said haphazard in-ground planting could lead to mosquito breeding and pose a maintenance problem.

She added that the council could consider allowing appropriate mature trees to be adopted and cared for by the residents, as well as planting more fruit trees in the vicinity for adoption by residents.

Madam Mardziyah felt this might be a solution.

She said: 'I love greenery. But in the common

areas, trees should be planted in an orderly manner. They need tidying and maintenance or they'll create problems.'