Falling trees

[LITTLEREDDOT]

If CECA, property prices, COE, PMDs, GST, covid-19, covid-19 vaccine don't kill the Sinkies, trees will.


Heavy rain causes flash floods in Seletar, fallen trees in various areas
1 of 3

Both lanes on Seletar North Link were flooded during heavy rain on Jan 30, 2018.
PHOTO: TWITTER/PUB
Lydia Lam

JAN 31, 2018

SINGAPORE - Heavy rain fell across Singapore on Tuesday evening (Jan 30), causing flash floods along a road in Seletar and felling trees in several areas.

A fallen tree caused the Yio Chu Kang Road exit to the Seletar Expressway (SLE) from the Tampines Expressway (TPE) to be closed.

The Land Transport Authority said on its traffic news Twitter channel at 5.10pm that the exit was closed due to an obstacle.

National water agency PUB had issued a heavy rain alert at 4.14pm, quoting the National Environment Agency (NEA) which said that heavy rain was expected across the island from 4.50pm to 5.40pm.

PUB said flash floods at Seletar North Link affected both lanes and advised motorists to avoid the area. A photo it posted shows murky water at the scene.

The water subsided by 5.45pm, and traffic was passable at that time, PUB said in an update.

It said in a statement on Tuesday night that the flood occurred as water from the storm exceeded the capacity of the roadside drains.

There was a similar flash flood at Seletar North Link in December, and PUB said it is in the process of constructing two temporary drains in the area to alleviate flooding.

The first drain will be completed in mid-February, while the other is slated for completion by May this year.

"More permanent drainage is planned in tandem with upcoming developments in the area," PUB said.

PUB said Singapore is still experiencing the north-east monsoon, which will last till March.

"We urge the public to exercise caution and avoid stepping into or driving into flooded areas," said PUB. "During this period of monsoon season, the public should stay tuned to radio broadcast and check PUB’s Facebook page or PUB’s mobile app “MyWaters” for flood updates."

NEA's two-hour weather forecast predicts thunderstorms across most of the island from 5pm to 7pm.

A video posted on Telegram traffic news channel SG No.1 All in 1 Sharing / Updates shows a van trying to reverse as a tree has apparently blocked the road.

Another video, sent in by Mr Alvin Chan shows a fallen tree blocking off two lanes of a road near Yishun Dam.

The 50-year-old businessman said he saw more than 10 trees that had fallen in the rain while driving along Seletar West Link towards TPE at 5pm.

"I didn't see anyone get hurt or have their car crushed by a tree but it caused a big jam," he said.

Another reader, Mr Tan Ming Lie, told ST that he saw a fallen tree blocking the path by a canal near Block 332, Yishun Ring Road, at 6.30pm.

A fallen tree near Block 332, Yishun Ring Road, on Jan 30, 2018.
PHOTO: TAN MING LIE

The 29-year-old workplace safety and health professional said there were three to four people gathered around the fallen tree, he said.

He made a report to the National Parks Board (NParks).
"I think it's because of the rain," he said. "Just now at around 4pm, a lot of trees were uprooted."

NParks said in statement on Wednesday that it cleared most of the fallen trees by 8pm on Tuesday.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Fallen trees block pathways in Yishun Park after thunderstorm

Joggers and passers-by were forced to take a detour after fallen trees blocked pathways in the park.
PHOTOS: SERI DEWI SANGHA

Charmaine Ng

JAN 31, 2018, 1:57 PM

SINGAPORE - Joggers and passers-by came across several fallen trees in Yishun Park on Wednesday (Jan 31) morning, after a bout of heavy rain the night before.

Photos sent to The Straits Times showed at least four such trees blocking pathways in the park.

Ms Seri Dewi Sangha, 31, usually cuts through the park on her route to work but was forced to take a detour.

"Every time I changed a path, the next path was blocked. In the end, I had to climb over one of the trees," said the radiologist at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

In a video sent by Yishun resident Lim Chee Kiang, several trees were completely uprooted.

The 19-year-old was making a delivery for UberEats when he encountered several blocked pathways in the park.

Several fallen trees were also spotted across Yishun on Tuesday after a storm in the evening.

"The wind was very strong and everything was being blown horizontally," said Ms Seri.

ST understands that contractors are in the process of clearing the fallen trees in the park.

During the downpour on Tuesday, hailstones reportedly fell in Yishun and Seletar.

One resident told ST that she saw at least five hailstones that were the size of five-cent and 10-cent coins raining down onto the balcony floor of her home in Yishun.

The last time hailstones were reportedly seen in Singapore was in 2014 in Turf Club Road.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

More than 200 snapped branches, fallen trees reported during Tuesday's 'extreme storm', says NParks

A fallen tree near Block 332, Yishun Ring Road, on Jan 30, 2018.
PHOTO: TAN MING LIE
Lydia Lam

JAN 31, 2018, 8:34 PM SGT

SINGAPORE - There were more than 200 reported incidents of fallen trees and snapped tree branches on Tuesday during an "extreme storm", the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Jan 31).

NParks streetscape group director Oh Cheow Sheng said the board received those reports by late evening. Most of the fallen trees and branches were cleared by 8pm that day.

Extreme weather conditions with intense rain and strong winds were reported in the north and north-eastern parts of Singapore such as Yishun, Sembawang, Seletar, Mandai and Gambas late on Tuesday afternoon, he said.

"Tuesday's storm event is an example of extreme storms consisting of strong winds of up to 70kmh or more and heavy rains that we have seen in recent years," said Mr Oh.

These events include an incident in 2012 where some 100 trees fell in a wooded area during a storm at Changi Beach Park. Before that, a storm destroyed 10,000 forest trees in the Mandai area in 2011.

"To prepare for such weather events, NParks has strengthened our management of trees by replacing storm-vulnerable trees, and carrying out targeted pruning and crown reduction prior to the monsoon season," said Mr Oh.

On Wednesday morning, NParks employees returned to the affected areas to inspect the trees there and clear remaining debris.

Mr Oh said NParks has in place "a comprehensive tree management programme since the early 2000s".

It has been training tree maintenance staff, in conjunction with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), as certified arborists since 2001.

NParks took further steps from 2012 to implement a tree management programme, such as by undertaking crown reduction and pruning.

"Further measures were implemented in May 2016 to refine crown reduction and pruning processes, such that they were carried out prior to periods of more severe weather conditions," said Mr Oh. "This enhanced maintenance regime is over and above our normal tree pruning programme. In addition, second-level inspections are carried out on trees more than 4m in girth since November 2016."

He said regular inspection and pruning are key components of NParks' tree management regime and they are based on the tree care guidelines of the ISA.

During inspections, NParks' certified arborists assess the condition of each tree based on their location and site factors. Where necessary, diagnostic equipment is used to ascertain the trees' internal conditions.

The frequency of tree inspection and pruning varies according to location, species, age and tree condition.

"We are also currently developing modelling techniques to better understand the behaviour of trees under varying environmental conditions," he said. "We will continue to review our tree management regime to ensure that it remains robust and comprehensive."

Members of the public can inform NParks of fallen tree and branch incidents through NParks' helpline on 1800-471-7300.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

1 killed, 4 injured after huge Tembusu tree falls at Botanic Gardens
1 of 19

Members of the SCDF attending to injured people after the collapse of the Tembusu tree on Feb 11, 2017.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Felicia Choo and Toh Wen Li

FEB 12, 2021

SINGAPORE - A 40m-tall Tembusu tree fell at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) on Saturday (Feb 11) afternoon, killing one and injuring four people.

Police said that a 38-year-old female Indian national died. Her husband, a 39-year-old French national, and their two children, aged one, were injured. A 26-year-old female Singaporean was also injured in the incident.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said that the tree was more than 270 years old and predated the establishment of the Gardens. It fell and brought down surrounding palm trees.

It was last inspected in September 2016 and was found to be healthy, said NParks. It is investigating what caused the tree to fall.

Those hurt in the incident, including the two children, were taken to the National University Hospital in three ambulances, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

The Tembusu tree, which had a 6.5m girth, was uprooted at 4.25pm at the edge of Palm Valley near the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage.

"We are sad that there was one fatality and four other injured persons. Our priority now is to accord assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured," said Mr Kenneth Er, chief executive officer of NParks, in a statement on Saturday evening.

"As an SBG Heritage tree, it was inspected twice a year, which is of a higher frequency than other trees in the Gardens. The tree was also protected by a lightning conductor and fenced off to prevent compaction of its root zone by visitors. Leaf litter is routinely applied to the root zone to encourage healthy root growth," he added.

A concert scheduled for the evening has been cancelled. The concert, called "Canada 150: Celebrating Diversity through Music and Film", was supposed to take place at the stage from 5pm to 7pm.

All programmes at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Sunday (Feb 12) have been cancelled.

Police and the SCDF were at the scene when The Straits Times went there around 5.30pm.

NParks told The Straits Times that it is focusing on clearing up the site.

Artist Tina Fung, 34, said: "I was walking towards the event at the stage. I didn't hear it (fall). Two guys had scratches on their legs, and there was a lady they were trying to resuscitate. It looked pretty serious.

"Some people (members of public) were trying to rush to help, but they were cordoning off the space," she said. Ms Fung is the artist behind the Canada 150 structure, which is supposed to be unveiled today.

Manager Mr Zhou, 49, arrived at the site several minutes after the tree fell. He said that the injured woman looked to be Indian and that rescue efforts were “pretty fast."

On Saturday (Feb 11), Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam expressed his sympathies to the family of the person who was killed, and stated that investigations are ongoing as to why the tree fell.

In a Facebook statement, police advised members of the public to stay away from the site to facilitate the rescue work by the Singapore Police Force and the SCDF.

Dr Shawn Lum, a botany expert from Nanyang Technological University's Asian School of the Environment, said he was surprised and sad to hear about the incident.

A possible, but unlikely, reason for the tree uprooting could be that rot or a fungal infection had occurred in the root area of the tree, causing it to weaken and eventually fail. However, this is not a common occurrence in Tembusu trees, said Dr Lum, who is also president of the Nature Society (Singapore).

The recent heavy rains and gusty winds experienced on Saturday could also have been a factor, he said. "The Tembusu that fell is on a slope, although not a very steep one. But after the recent heavy rains and the very gusty winds on Saturday and on Friday, it could be that the slope gave way first rather than the tree itself."

The reason for the tree's fall still remains to be seen, said Dr Lum, but it is something that cannot be anticipated.

Tembusu trees, which thrive even on very poor soils, are commonly planted in parks and along roadsides. At least 10 such trees in places like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, St John's Island and Sentosa have been designated Heritage Trees.

Native to Singapore, the evergreen tree with low-lying branches can reach heights of up to 40m. It can live more than 100 years.

The most famous Tembusu is the one at Lawn E of Botanic Gardens near the Swan Lake. The tree, which is more than 200 years old, is featured on Singapore's $5 note. It was fenced up in 2013 to prevent visitors from treading around it and affecting the growth of its roots.

Here is the text of the National Parks Board statement in full:

11 February 2017, Singapore – A 40m tall Tembusu Heritage Tree of 6.5m girth was uprooted at 4.25pm today at the edge of Palm Valley in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This tree was more than 270 years old and predated the establishment of the Gardens. It fell and brought down surrounding palm trees.

We are investigating the cause of the tree fall. It was last inspected in September 2016 and was found to be healthy.

As an SBG Heritage tree, it was inspected twice a year, which is of a higher frequency than other trees in the Gardens. The tree was also protected by a lightning conductor and fenced off to prevent compaction of its root zone by visitors. Leaf litter is routinely applied to the root zone to encourage healthy root growth.

We are sad that there was one fatality and four other injured persons.

Our priority now is to accord assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured.

Mr Kenneth Er
Chief Executive Officer
National Parks Board

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Members of the SCDF attending to injured people after the collapse of the Tembusu tree on Feb 11, 2017.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Five-storey-tall tree falls in Hougang carpark, damaging four vehicles; no injuries reported

A tree fell at the Hougang carpark and damaged four vehicles, on Sept 21.
PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

Derek Wong

SEP 23, 2018

SINGAPORE - A five-storey-tall tree fell at a carpark in Hougang on Friday afternoon (Sept 21) after a storm, damaging four vehicles.

There were no injuries, Aljunied-Hougang Town Council told The Straits Times. It added that the incident took place at around 5pm at the carpark near Block 203 Hougang Street 21.

It also said it is in touch with the owners of the four vehicles which were damaged.

The cars damaged include a BMW and a Volvo.

Clerk Cai Hui Yin, 51, whose workplace is near the carpark, told Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao that she heard a loud bang and initially thought a water heater had exploded. She realised the tree had fallen after leaving her office to check on the sound.

Ms Zhang, 55, who runs a transport company, is the owner of a white Peugeot van which was one of the damaged vehicles.

"I bought this van only a year ago and I am very sad about it. But luckily I was not in the car when the tree fell. I dare not imagine the consequences," she told Lianhe Wanbao.

When asked for more details about the fallen tree, the town council told ST: "We are currently awaiting the investigation/assessment report from our horticulture/arborist contractor following the completion of investigations and do not expect we will have any further comments before then."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

14 people taken to hospital after tree falls in Sembawang Park
1 of 9

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it responded to the fallen tree incident in Beaulieu Road at 5.55pm.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Choo Yun Ting, Rahimah Rashith and Fabian Koh

FEB 18, 2021

SINGAPORE - Fourteen people were taken to hospital on Thursday (Dec 20) after a tree fell on a pavilion in Sembawang Park.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it responded to the fallen tree incident in Beaulieu Road at 5.55pm.

When SCDF arrived at the scene, no one was trapped and the 14 people were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) by SCDF ambulances.

Some of those injured are SMRT employees. According to their friends, the group of 17 people, aged between 19 and 44, were celebrating Christmas with food and drinks. They moved into a pavilion when it started raining heavily. The tree then fell on the roof and crushed it.

In a statement on Thursday, the National Parks Board (NParks) said that two trees were uprooted at around 5.30pm at Sembawang Park. The trees were a Tabebuia rosea, also known as rosy trumpet tree, measuring about 18m in height and 3.6m in girth, and an Erythrophleum suaveolens, commonly known as an ordeal tree, which is around 21m tall and 3.1m in girth.

The ordeal tree fell onto the pavilion at the park. There were intense thunderstorms with gusty winds in the northern part of the island at the time of the incident, NParks added.

NParks is still investigating the cause of the incident.

When The Straits Times went to the park, the pathway was completely blocked by the tree. Workers were trying to cut it down.

Ms Carine Yeo, 44, a supervisor in the transport industry, said: "My friends were trapped under the log and roof. We tried to lift the planks and pull them out. All had cuts and were bleeding. I am still in a bit of a shock from what happened."

14 people taken to hospital after tree falls in Sembawang Park

Those who were not injured pulled the victims out and moved them to a nearby shelter.

"One colleague had to be piggybacked," said Ms Yeo, who was sitting at the shelter when ST spoke to her. There were wet clothes on the seat, along with a box of water and chips. On the seat were also unwrapped presents, a smudged cake and some ham.

SMRT's chief executive Neo Kian Hong was spotted at KTPH at about 10pm visiting the injured.

SMRT chief executive Neo Kian Hong (left, in dark blue) was spotted at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital at about 10pm.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

"We're just very concerned about our staff," he said. "We will definitely be there to make sure that we can support them."

Air-con technician Philip Wong, 55, told ST that his nephew, 30-year-old Malaysian Chan Chung Chern, suffered head injuries and complained of chest pains.

Mr Chan is a bus conductor with SMRT and was at Sembawang Park after his supervisor invited him and his colleagues to celebrate Christmas, said Mr Wong.

"They were carrying out their activities when the tree suddenly fell on the pavilion and crushed them all," Mr Wong said.

He was informed of the incident after one of Mr Chan's colleagues called him.

A pavilion in Sembawang Park (right) was damaged by a tree which fell on Thursday (Dec 20). The picture on the left shows a similar pavilion in the park.
PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG, LIM HOCK LYE

SMRT route controller Chandra Das, 28, was one of those at the gathering.

"We ran into the pavilion to hide from the rain, when suddenly the tree fell down. Everything happened in a second," she said from the hospital.

She added that her husband, Mr Navin Sangar, 25, also an SMRT route controller, required stitches on his forehead.

When the tree fell, there were sharp edges poking into the pavilion. None of them tried to push the tree up, and those who could move slowly crawled out from underneath, said Ms Chandra, who was visibly shaken.

Mr Lim Hock Lye, the owner of Beaulieu House restaurant in Sembawang Park, told ST that the area around the fallen tree was barricaded when he arrived at his restaurant at around 6.30pm.

The 64 year old said that there was a “terrible thunderstorm” that started at around 5pm, but the rain had eased by 6.30pm.

He said that on Sunday, a tree in Sembawang was struck by lightning, but he was not aware if there were any injuries.

The northern part of the island experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers with gusty wind, the National Environment Agency said in a tweet.

In January, extreme weather conditions with intense rain and strong winds were reported in the north and north-eastern parts of Singapore, which led to flash floods and more than 200 reports of falling trees.

Sembawang was one of the areas which was affected by winds of more than 70kmh and heavy rain.

In addition, several trees were completely uprooted and obstructed pathways in Yishun Park.

“To prepare for such weather events, NParks has strengthened our management of trees by replacing storm-vulnerable trees, and carrying out targeted pruning and crown reduction prior to the monsoon season,” NParks streetscape group director Oh Cheow Sheng told ST in January.

In September, four vehicles were damaged when a five-storey tall tree fell in Hougang after a storm. There were no injuries reported.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Woman killed by falling tree in Marsiling Park; last inspection by NParks in April 2020
1 of 4

NParks personnel doing an investigation on the fallen tree in Marsiling Park on Feb 18, 2021.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Jean Iau and Wong Shiying

FEB 19, 2021

SINGAPORE - A woman was killed after a tree fell on her in Marsiling Park on Thursday morning (Feb 18).

Ms Loke Xiao Li, 38, was a senior technical coordinator at Channel NewsAsia studio.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the incident at about 8.15am and found a person trapped under a fallen tree.

Its officers used cutting equipment to extricate her but she was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

The police and National Parks Board are investigating the incident.

Dr Leong Chee Chiew, commissioner of parks and recreation at NParks, said the 20m-tall Araucaria excelsa tree, which has a girth of 1.3m, was about 20 years old and was found to be healthy when it was last inspected in April last year.

Its next inspection was due in October, he added.

"We are sad that there was one fatality. Our priority now is to accord assistance to the family of the deceased," he said.

According to eyewitnesses, a loud crack was heard just before the tree fell, pinning Ms Loke under it. About 10 people at the park tried to lift the tree but were unsuccessful.

Secondary 3 student Kayden Teo, 15, said he and a friend were among those who tried to help.

Noting it was sunny and not windy at the time, he said: "We were walking across the bridge (over the lake) and heard a loud crack and a splash. A tall tree fell and we ran over to help a woman who was stuck underneath it."

Apart from police and emergency services officers, the park was mostly empty on Thursday morning when The Straits Times visited.

A large section of a walkway had been cordoned off and a blue tent was seen on the path. A large blue tarpaulin was used to cover the area where the tree had fallen, and part of the tree was in the lake.

Dr Leong noted that with the strengthening of NParks' tree management regime over the years, the annual number of tree incidents has fallen from about 3,100 cases in year 2001 to about 420 in 2019 and around 340 cases last year.

"NParks inspectors, many of whom are certified arborists, are trained to examine trees in a rigorous and systematic manner, by assessing their overall form, roots, trunks, branches and crown," he said, adding that trees are generally inspected once in six to 24 months, with the frequency depending on the locality and age of trees.

NParks' tree management regime includes inspection and operations such as pruning, pest management, transplanting and risk management, he added.

Trees are regularly pruned to improve their structure and balance, and this is stepped up during periods of adverse weather conditions to reduce the risk of tree failure incidents, said Dr Leong.

Ms Loke Xiao Li, 38, was trapped under the fallen tree.
PHOTOS: HILMI JAMIL, DAWN KAREN TAN/FACEBOOK

Dr Shawn Lum, a senior lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University's Asian School of the Environment who has 30 years of experience studying trees, cannot recall hearing about prior incidents of Araucaria excelsa trees, also known as the Norfolk Island pine, falling.

He told ST: "I don't think it was a case of (NParks) neglecting a tree that's known to be a danger to the public... NParks has experienced people using very state-of-the-art equipment, which makes the incident even more unfortunate and quite baffling."

After seeing pictures and video clips of the fallen tree, Dr Lahiru Wijedasa, a former senior arborist with Singapore Botanic Gardens, said the tree looked "healthy and vigorous", and it is unlikely that structural failures could have been detected.

He added: "It's a structural failure here, so whether it was windy or not, the tree had been compromised and would eventually have failed.

"If you want a city with trees to cool the city, there is always an inherent risk, and we can only minimise the risk, not eliminate it."

NParks personnel investigating the scene of the fallen tree at Marsiling Park, on Feb 18, 2021.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

In a Facebook post, Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, who is an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, expressed his condolences to the family of Ms Loke, who is a resident in his ward.

"While investigations are ongoing, I have asked NParks to check and review the condition of the trees and the safety of facilities in the area," he wrote.

He said he also uses the park, adding: "It is important that we do our utmost to ensure safety of all users of Marsiling Park."

Dr Leong said as a precautionary measure, NParks checked the trees in Marsiling Park on Thursday. "The park remains open and is safe for the public to visit," he added.

Friends of Ms Loke, who knew her as "Dag", were shocked to hear of the accident and her death. They told ST she was a motorbike lover and had started exercising recently to keep to a New Year resolution.

Mr Wang Yinghao, 33, an employee at a motorcycle shop, described her as friendly and easy-going. "She used to come to the shop I work at once a month to do maintenance work on her Yamaha FZ15oi bike," he said.

He added: "She was a very nice person... We would talk about our work life and motorcycles whenever she came in."

Ms Loke was with Mediacorp for almost six years, the broadcaster said, adding it has reached out to her family to offer condolences and support.

It said in a statement: "She was someone that many of her teammates and colleagues looked up to."

One of Ms Loke's former colleagues in the media industry for two years, who declined to be named, said she took great pride in her work. He added: "She took the effort to get to know people outside of the work setting and they would confide in her."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

'It sounded like a plane dropped out of the sky': Toh Yi resident whose home was damaged by fallen tree
1 of 5

The falling rain tree damaged at least three units and two cars.
PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

Jean Iau

2 MAR 2021

SINGAPORE - A rain tree fell on four-storey walk-up condominium Kismis Court in Toh Yi Road, damaging at least three units and two cars.

No one was hurt in the incident that happened on Monday (March 1) at about 10pm.

The owners of one of the damaged units, on the third storey, told The Straits Times they were asleep when they were woken up by a loud crash.

Mr Alan Woo, 78, and his wife, Ellen, 76, got out of bed, drew their curtains and were shocked to see a fallen branch pressing against their closed window.

They said the tree was at least 40 years old and grew taller than their four-storey block.

Speaking about the ordeal from their unit on Tuesday, Mr Woo, a retired businessman, said: "It was so loud; it sounded like a plane dropped out of the sky and crashed into the building."

He and his wife, a retired teacher, have been living at Kismis Court, which is off Bukit Timah Road, for more than 40 years.

The railing of their balcony had been bent by the tree, and the couple hope the condominium's insurance, or their home insurance will cover the cost of damages.

Another affected unit, which belongs to their neighbour below them, suffered more extensive damage.

The tree was at least 40 years old and grew taller than their four-storey block.
PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

When ST went to her unit on the ground floor, the retired businesswoman who only wished to be known as Madam Fu, 84, showed how the garden was completely covered by the tree's branches, fallen roof tiles, shattered glass and the retractable awning that once sheltered her patio but had been ripped off by the fallen tree.
One of her windows had been smashed.

Workers from a landscaping company were using chainsaws to cut and remove branches.

Madam Fu said it was not raining but it was slightly windy when she returned from a funeral wake and saw neighbours gathered outside.

While she was grateful no one was hurt, she was sad about her 40 potted plants, which included hibiscus, basil and pandan, that were crushed by the tree.
She said: "I can't believe it. It used to be so colourful. Now, when you look outside, it's complete ruins."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

 

[dickheadchang]

Not to worry - our million dollar ministers will take full responsibility for these unfortunate incidents. But don't expect anything other than lip service.

 

[laksaboy]

Back in the day floods and falling trees happened all the time, but that was an era where the wild boars roamed freely and man co-existed peacefully with nature.

Times have changed.

 

[Leongsam]

Old trees fall and new ones sprout. It's a natural cycle.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Tree inspections in S'pore carried out every 6 to 24 months: Desmond Lee

A lychee tree sitting atop Mount Rosie in the Novena area is supported by a permanent galvanised steel structure built to withstand elements.PHOTO: ST FILE

Rei Kurohi

3 MAR 2021

SINGAPORE - The National Parks Board (NParks) carries out rigorous tree inspections every six to 24 months, with trees that are close to areas with high pedestrian or traffic activity receiving more frequent checks.

The tree inspection regime follows the best management practices set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Minister for National Development Desmond Lee told Parliament on Wednesday (March 3).

"During a tree inspection, NParks' inspectors conduct a comprehensive visual examination of the tree crown, branches, trunk and roots to assess the tree's health and stability," said the minister.

"Trees that are found to have possible defects are subjected to an additional in-depth inspection, which involves the use of diagnostic equipment to assess the internal condition of the tree."

Mr Lee added that since November 2016, such in-depth inspections are also conducted annually for trees of more than 4m in girth, as a precautionary measure in response to changing weather conditions.

This goes beyond the ISA's prescribed best management practices, he noted.


The minister was responding to questions by Ms Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC) and Mr Shawn Huang (Jurong GRC) on NParks' tree inspection regime, after a woman was killed by a 20m-tall tree that fell on her in Marsiling Park last month.

The minister said NParks has other measures in place to reduce the risk of such incidents, including targeted arboriculture treatments to improve general tree health and their ability to withstand severe weather conditions. Trees also receive regular pruning to remove weak, dry or overgrown branches, which improves their structure and balance.

NParks is also progressively replacing storm-vulnerable tree species with hardier variants and using technology to analyse risks and improve inspection processes.
It also offers training for NParks staff as well as tree care professionals in the private sector and other public agencies that manage trees.

Training is conducted by international and local arboriculture experts.

Mr Lee said training raises the standards of arborists here, who are also deployed under town councils and other agencies.

Staff of town councils and managing agents administering landscaping contracts can also attend training organised by NParks on plant health and other topics.

There are currently more than 620 arborists in Singapore who are accredited with the ISA. NParks also requires its tree maintenance contractors to have certified arborists in their teams, Mr Lee said.

While the number of tree failure incidents has been reduced almost ninefold over the last two decades, from 3,100 in 2000 to 339 in 2020, Mr Lee noted that it is not possible to completely prevent tree-related incidents.

"Trees are living organisms that can be affected by pests and diseases, as well as environmental conditions. Even healthy and structurally sound trees can fail during storm events due to exceptionally strong winds or heavy rainfall."

Ms Soh had also asked if NParks would consider measures like tree restraints and ensuring trees are placed in a way that would ensure they fall away from human traffic in the event of tree failure.

Mr Lee said NParks already uses tree support systems for trees that have reached maturity or have known structural weaknesses.

He gave the example of a lychee tree sitting atop Mount Rosie in the Novena area. The tree, which is over 100 years old, is supported by a permanent galvanised steel structure built to withstand elements.

But such systems can also constrain the growth of young or semi-mature trees or restrict their swaying movements during strong winds and may inevitably weaken the tree's structure, Mr Lee noted.

"NParks will study carefully what more situations we can use it (tree support system) in, but we also have to recognise that these structures can also pose safety issues if used without a care in park settings."

Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) asked how NParks works with town councils on tree inspections.

Mr Lee noted that NParks manages about 6 million trees in Singapore, while about a million are in areas under town council management. He said there are also trees managed by private property owners and other agencies.

"In relation to trees under the town councils, NParks works closely with agencies that manage trees, town councils and land owners to advise them on tree care standards."

 

[laksaboy]

Trees fall because the roots aren't buried deep into the ground, not a lot of space due to the concrete beneath. Look at your trees along the roads and in open-air carparks.

This is what happens when you cannot live in harmony with nature and have no checks on your lust for economic growth.

This picture tells you everything you need to know.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Tree branch falls on car in Tiong Bahru, injuring driver

The branch fell from a Trumpet Tree that was 10m long and 1m wide.
PHOTOS: DISTRICT SINGAPORE/FACEBOOK
Natalie Tan

MAR 30, 2021

SINGAPORE - A tree branch fell onto a car on Monday (March 29) at the junction of Tiong Bahru and Lower Delta roads, injuring the driver, who was taken to hospital.

The Straits Times understands that the driver did not suffer any major injuries.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told ST it received a call for assistance at 5.15pm on Monday, and one person was taken to Singapore General Hospital.

It is unclear if there were any passengers in the car.

In a video circulating online, the tree branch can be seen falling onto the car as it is approaching a traffic light. It was timestamped at 4.35pm.

Shin Min Daily News reported on Tuesday (March 30) that the driver was trapped in the car after the branch fell, and was rescued by SCDF officers.

ST understands the branch fell from a trumpet tree that is 10m tall and 1m wide. It was cleared by 5.30pm.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Falling tree crushes cars and knocks over bikes in Toa Payoh; no one hurt
1 of 4

A large tree fell and crushed three cars at Blk 68 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on Dec 13, 2020.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

Linette Lai
Political Correspondent

DEC 13, 2020


SINGAPORE - Six months ago, a falling tree branch shattered the rear windscreen of Mr Mohammad Norman Gatot Isman's car.
On Sunday, disaster struck in the same place twice, when a large tree fell on top of the 39-year-old's motorbike in the carpark next to Block 68, Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.

His was not the only vehicle damaged, with photos of the scene showing several cars and motorbikes knocked over or crushed by the falling tree.

The Straits Times understands that nobody was hurt.

Mr Mohammad Norman told The Straits Times that the incident took place at around 7am, when he was about to head out to work as a firefighter.

His motorbike is now badly damaged, he said, adding that he is taking the vehicle to a mechanic on Monday for an assessment.

When his car was damaged in June, Mr Mohammad Norman did not receive compensation from Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council's insurers.

He was told that the town council's horticulture contractor faced manpower shortages due to Covid-19, and was hence unable to perform necessary maintenance work on schedule.

"This mishap has affected me badly as I am using my vehicles for work to support my family financially," Mr Mohammad Norman said in an email to the town council about the recent incident.

Another resident, Mr K.U. John, 52, said it was lucky that the tree had fallen in the morning. "In the evening, many people sit there and chit chat," he said.

The town council's chairman and vice-chairman did not respond to queries on the incident.

The owner of one of three cars that were crushed by a falling tree in Toa Payoh was retrieving items from his car on Dec 13, 2020.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN