Staffs and students from Republic Polytechnic as well as our outgoing members from Conservation Interest Group planted a ‘Calophyllum Soulattri’ as part of the Green Wave initiative. With the help of a few contractors and our thoughtful school gardener, we planted the tree just next to the school.

Filled with both excitement and enthusiasm, our fellow school mates started to learn more on the tree and its uses. A normal common tree it may seem, many found it amusing that the tree is listed as critically endangered, and its medicinal values. Now after the official ceremony, the school’s gardener will continue in taking good care of the tree, however, we won’t leave it all to the gardeners! From time to time, we’ll log our observations, and care for the tree. It was a great day to know we’ve planted an endangered tree just next to the school.

Everyone learnt on the tree itself and also the importance of tree from our lovely advisors, and also the way and importance of gardening from our caring gardener. With those in mind, I’m sure everyone present will remember in their hearts to care and cherish the nature. And I hope we’ll get to engage and spread the awareness to more students and staffs! On the next few paragraphs, I’ll share more on the tree and the importance of trees!

Calophyllum Soulattri is a species of flowering plant in the Clusiaceae family. It is found in the Northern Territory of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. The tree, known locally as Bintangor Bunut, is identified as critically endangered in the Singapore Red Book. Several of these trees are planted or found at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, Botanic Gardens Jungle, Bukit Timah and Seletar.

The timber was considered the best of the Calophyllum species and used in masts, spars and planking. Some considered it better than teak in being more elastic and harder. The gummy resin is considered poisonous to dogs. The resin and parts of the tree has various traditional medicinal uses; anti-bacteria uses, cures certain skin issues.

Trees are an important component of the nature because of their prevention of erosion and the provision of a weather-sheltered ecosystem in and under their foliage. They also play an important role in producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as well as moderating ground temperatures. They are also elements in providing us with our needs of medicinal values, materials (wood), food and many of more.

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/edelweiss_photography/4612441676/in/set-72157623948302255/ (photos taken by Glendson Ng Gong Xuan, Student of Republic Polytechnic)

Written by Lester Tan