It was a black day for many residents in Kheam Hock Road when a newcomer to the neighbourhood recently cut down a 100-year-old tree.
It stood along the road outside the plot of land bought by this newcomer, who built three houses on land where previously there had been one.
The National Parks Board told me that the third house had been designed with the driveway opposite where the tree stood. As a result, the tree "blocked" the entrance to the house and permission was given to cut it down.
I understand that NParks has spent a lot to take photographs and document significant and beautiful trees, to protect them. Do the authorities now have a different philosophy about protecting trees and the environment?
It seems that their obligation to the public is to fund documentation for posterity, as is the case for Bukit Brown Cemetery, rather than saving trees or green lungs, even those with historical value, for ordinary citizens and future generations to enjoy.
Works would have affected tree stability
Letter from Sim Cheng Hai Director (Policy & Planning) National Parks Board
Today Online 17 Mar 12;
WE REFER to Ms Patricia Chee's letter, "Hundred-year-old tree cut down" (March 14).
The National Parks Board processes the development plans of public and private projects when they potentially affect roadside trees. We do our utmost to retain existing trees by requiring the developer to set aside a tree-protection zone to protect the major tree roots from development works.
While the tree referred to by Ms Chee was not likely to have been as old as 100 years, we had explored all ways to retain it. This included working with the architect on alternative design configurations and carrying out tests to assess the presence of major tree roots.
Unfortunately, given the constraints of the site, one major anchoring root would have been affected by the construction. This would have an impact on the stability of the tree. Hence, we could not retain it.
New trees will be planted back. We have contacted Ms Chee and explained our position to her.
We share Ms Chee's love for mature trees and wish to assure her of our commitment to greenery.
We look after about 1.3 million trees located within parks and road verges, and ensure that they receive continual care and attention so that they can grow to maturity.
We also introduced the Heritage Tree Scheme in 2001 to promote the conservation and appreciation of beautiful and majestic mature trees. Under this scheme, members of the public can nominate potential Heritage Trees.
Currently, there are 183 Heritage Trees of various species in Singapore.