The Changi Tree, also known as The Time Tree, was a tree in Singapore that was noted for its height of 76 meters.[1] The species of the tree is unclear, but it was either Hopea sangal[2] or Sindora wallichii.[3] It has been said that Changi was named after this tree. It has been recorded that Changi was named after Neobalanocarpus heimii by the legendary botanist H.N. Ridley.[4] However, there has been no evidence that the tree had ever been in Changi.
History
editThe Changi Tree started appearing on maps at around 1888. The tree was a major landmark due to its height.[3]
In February 1942, during World War II, the tree was cut in order to prevent the Japanese from using the tree as a ranging point.[1][3] According to folklore, the fall of the tree would cause the fall of Singapore itself.[3]
In February 2001, the Singapore Tourism Board planted a new "Changi tree" at the Changi Museum.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Hack, Karl; Blackburn, Kevin (2004). Did Singapore have to fall?: Churchill and the impregnable fortress. Routledge. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-415-30803-8. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ Habitat News (NUS) - Hopea Sangal http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/heritage/changi/changitrees/hopeasangal-20nov2002/firstpage.html
- ^ a b c d Habitat News (NUS) - Legend of the Changi Tree http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/heritage/changi/changitrees/changitree.html
- ^ Singapore Infopedia - Changi - "Changi". Archived from the original on 2010-01-23. Retrieved 2009-07-23.