Tembusu

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A majestic tree, aged over a century, found in parts of Singapore. The hardwood tree is native to many parts of Southeast Asia.

Description
The tembusu can grow up to 30 m to 40 m tall. Its crown is fairly conical when young, and later grows into a lofty and irregular shape with a few short, horizontal branches from which grow tall and upright branches bearing small, hanging twigs. The trunk has a thick, distinctive dark brown, deeply-fissured bark. The leaves are light green, about 5 cm to 8 cm in length and oval-shaped with protective leaf tips.

The tree blooms twice a year in May and October. It bears fragrant, cluster flowers near the ends of the branchlets. The fragrance is stronger in the late evening or at night. The flowers are creamy-white, turning yellow when old. Pollination is by nocturnal moths.

The fruits are rounded berries. The young berries need more than three months to mature, turning from green to orange-scarlet, and ripening in September and January. Its contain numerous tiny reddish- brown seeds. The berries are eaten by birds and fruit bats. Propagation is from seeds or marcots.

The Tembusu is a fairly slow growing, hardy tree which flourishes well in heavy clay soil. It is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. It can be drastically pruned without damage, and will soon produce a crop of new shoots.

Usage
The Tembusu is one of ten heavy hardwood timber traded for commerce. The wood is a rich golden brown and is extremely durable and resistant to termite attacks. It is often used in Singapore to make chopping boards. It is also used for heavy construction, railroads, bridges, boats, wharves, parquet flooring and furniture. Parts of the tree are used in Malay medicine.

Singapore
In the Singapore Botanic Gardens, two Tembusu trees have been designated as Heritage Trees. Both are likely to be more than a century old. One is located in the Palm Valley of the Gardens. It has a height of 42 m and a girth of 7.8 m. The other is near the main entrance and is believed to have existed before the Singapore Botanic Gardens was first laid out in 1859. It has a girth of 5.3 m with a distinctive long low branch which has become a popular spot for people to sit on and take photographs. Its image has been captured on the back of the Singapore $5 currency note in the Portrait series.

During Singapore's early years, Tembusu trees were commonly planted, particularly around the Tanglin Area where many still stand. The Tembusu tree was also widely planted in parks at the start of the Garden City campaign with several flourishing along the Bukit Timah Expressways.


Variant names
Common name: Tembusu.
Scientific name: Fagraea fragrans.
Family name: Loganiaceae.
Indonesian name: Tembesu.
Sabahan name: Temasuk.
Thai name: Tam Sao.
Filipino name: Urung.
Cambodian name: Tatrao, Trai.
Burmese names: Anan, Ananma.



Author
Lee-Khoo Guan Fong



References 
Holttum, R. E. (1953). Gardening in the lowlands of Malaya (pp. 147, 149). Singapore: The Straits Times Press.
(Call no.: RSEA 635.09595 HOL)

Polunin, I. (1987). Plants and flowers of Singapore (p. 122). Singapore: Times Editions.
(Call no.: RSING 581.95957 POL)

Rao, A. N., & Wee, Y. C. (1989). Singapore trees (p. 161). Singapore: Singapore Institute of Biology.
(Call no.: RSING 582.16095957 RAO)

Tee S. P., & Wee M. L. (Eds.). (2001). Trees of our garden city: A guide to the common trees of Singapore. (p. 96). Singapore: National Parks Board.
(Call no.: RSING 582.16095957 TRE)

River Valley High School. Science Club. (1991). A guide to the flora and fauna of schools in Singapore. (p. 12). Singapore: Hillview Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 581.95957 RIV)

National Parks Board. (2005). Highlights on some heritage trees. Retrieved Februrary 1, 2005, from
www.nparks.gov.sg/nat_conv/HeritageTreesHighlights.pdf

Singapore Timber. (n.d.). Tembusu. Retrieved November 3, 2002, from www.singaporetimber.com/type.htm#tembusu


Further Readings
Ho, M. (2002, August 10). Tree's company. The Straits Times (Singapore), Life! Section.

Perry, M. (2002, May 31). Crimson sunbird tops bird poll. The Straits Times.

Teo, G. (2002, May 31). Take a walk up Singapore's hill of fame. The Straits Times.

Thien. (2000, November 16). Legacy in our midst. The Business Times, Executive Suite section, p. S6.

Treespotting. (2001, November 4). The Straits Times, Sunday Plus section, p. 5.


List of Images
Tee, S. P., & Wee, M. L. (Ed.). (2001). Trees of our garden city: a guide to the common trees of Singapore (pp. 96-97). Singapore: National Parks Board.
(Call no.: RSING 582.16095957 TRE)

Rao, A. N., & Wee, Y. C. (1989). Singapore trees (p. 162). Singapore: Singapore Institute of Biology.
(Call no.: RSING 582.16095957 RAO)

River Valley High School Science Club. (1991). A guide to the flora and fauna of schools in Singapore (p. 12). Singapore: Hillview Publications.
(Call no.: RSING 581.95957 RIV)

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Nature>>Plants
Trees--Singapore
Loganiaceae--Singapore
Science and technology>>Botany>>Trees