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It is not everyday
you see a tree “walk” down the road., and then “fly”
45 metres high. But that was exactly what happened over the weekend.
This is the story of how a 50 year-old Malayan banyan tree was
uprooted, lifted by cranes, and transplanted – for conservation
– in a new office building.
For more than half a century, the tree had been standing quietly
in a patch of rainforest near Pasir Panjang Road.
Over time, competing with other trees for sunlight, water and
soil nutrients, its crown spread 18 m in circumference. Its fluted,
rippled trunk measured 5 m around, and it grew to a height of
25 m.
Colorful lizards nestled in its branches; staghorn and
birdnest ferns spread their limb-like fronds luxuriantly over
the banyan’s bark.
Then, one day, things changed. Construction workers came yellow
hard hats and boots, clearing the jungle for a new Science Park
III.
A tree was needed to fit into the courtyard of a Life Sciences
building springing up in the nearby Science Park II. Originally,
owner, developer and owner of the industrial park, Ascendas, had
its heart set on a rain tree.
But the Malayan banyan was perfect.
In an age where “instant” saplings and trees are planted
where needed in the urban landscape, it was recognized that an
old tree such as this on was a treasure.
Said Mr Swee Kee Siong, CEO of Ascendas Land: “Rather then
letting it fall and die, we decided that this 50-year-old tree
has a long heritage that deserves to be preserved.”
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By relocating
it at Capricorn building, it adds both aesthetic heritage value
to the development.”
Truck
Route: The process of moving a tree that weighs more than
35 tonnes is not an easy task. Chris Baskai keeps a close eye as
the banyan is lifted; the 50-year old tree flies into the air -
with the aid of a massive crane; and Rick Thomas holds a rope taut
next to the tree.
Banyan
Walking
THE “walk” took place in the wee hours of Sunday morning,
when the approximately 4 km route to the Capricorn building would
be relatively desrted.
At 1 am, a half-moon hung overhead. A worker held onto a rope attached
to the tree as though it was on a leash. It hovered in the air as
the crane it was rigged to moved at 5 km/h.
Besides the 30 men involved in the operation, a crowd of about 20
onlookers had gathered. The contractors had brought along their
children, who watched openmouthed.
More than 2 hours later, the banyan arrived at its new home. A group
of motorcycle ah bengs sped by, but slowed down to watch.
For crane operator Lee Tak Weng, 41, transplanting a tree down a
road was “something fresh” in his 23 years of experience.
“When I was first told about the job, I felt it strange. Mostly,
we just chop down the trees at construction sites,” he said.
The tree was then picked up by a 400-tonne mobile crane. The big
orange-machine would be responsible for lifting the tree 45 m into
the air, before placing it gently into the courtyard of the Capricorn
building.
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