Tree strikes and you are out

The pink mempat (Cratoxylum formosum) is a smallish tree found in Southeast Asia with periodic bursts of delicate pink flowers that have led some to compare them to sakura blooms. On the BESGroup mailing list, a member posted about a mempat tree near his home that had been given 7 days notice (from 20 July) before it becomes firewood on 27 July. Apparently, the tree is condemned thanks to complaints that its leaves were falling into a nearby house, thereby requiring daily sweeping by the maid. Notwithstanding the fact that there are doubts over whether this particular tree is the culprit, one stands amazed at the incredible efficiency in which the outrage of one man (or woman) is deemed superior and acted upon in spite of the hitherto silent pleasure derived by others from the cool shade and glorious blossoms of a native tree. Now if only the same rigour and fate is applied to all other souls who dare discard their litter all over this land of clean and green dreams. (photos by YC Wee)

More on the woody pests that threaten the lives of drivers in their daily rush:
Check huge, tall trees growing near roads in ST Forum 24 July 2007
Braddell Road Angsana cut down in Habitatnews
Goodbye Angsana in Deadpoet's Cave
Poor thing in Lekowala
A story of an old angsana tree in tomorrow.sg
Public responses to LTA decision to remove Braddell Rd Angsana tree in Wildsingapore

If you are one of those strange ones who actually like trees, you can nominate your favourite boughs to the NParks' Heritage Tree scheme.

And if you are one of those deviants who *gasp* don't think cats are noisy, filthy beasts unfit to live within human habitation, the Paw Pledge adoption drive is coming up this weekend.   

Comments

[lekowala]

I have always thought that humans were biophilic. The mempat story changes my view about humans... some...

Thanks, that was a good post.

[budak]

update: according to the original poster, the notice on the tree has been removed, indicating a hopeful reprieve.