Changi Tree
The Changi Tree, also known as The Time Tree, was a 76-meter[1] legendary tree of Singapore. 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
The 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] This proved true at the Battle of Singapore shortly after the tree had fallen.
In February 2001, the Singapore Tourism Board planted a new "Changi tree" at the Changi Museum.[1]
In December 2010, there was a new discovery of a special sacred tree located in Eunos. The tree is named after the founder "XM".
See also
Notes
- 1 2 3 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
- 1 2 3 4 Habitat News (NUS) - Legend of the Changi Tree http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/heritage/changi/changitrees/changitree.html
- ↑ Singapore Infopedia - Changi - http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_245_2004-12-15.html