Article: Glorious blooms

Saturday April 18, 2009

By ANDREA FILMER

THE wondrous sight of flowering trees in full bloom along roads in Penang is anticipated to be even more stunning in future with thousands more of the colourful Tecoma trees to be planted by 'spring' (February and March) next year.

Penang Forestry Department director Mohd Puat Dahalan said the department was identifying areas on the island and mainland to plant 20,000 Tecoma saplings.

"We have received instructions from the state govenrment to start an extensive project of planting Tecoma trees around the state.

"Tecoma flowers are very beautiful and come in a variety of colours. In fact, their bloom is said to be even greater than the Angsana trees that we have now," he said, when contacted.

He added that Tecoma trees had broad, dark green leaves and large crowns that would provide much-desired shade from the heat.

"They can grow up to more than 10m tall and about 30cm in diameter. Currently, we have a few hundred Tecoma trees in the state but we are planning to go full swing with them soon in both the city and the outskirts," Mohd Puat said.

Penang, known for its old-world charms, is the home of several hundred mighty trees, the majority of which are Angsana and Pokok Hujan-hujan (also known as Pukul Lima or rain tree) that were planted by the British.

As the blooming season peters out, withering flowers are turning stretches of roads and pavements into carpets of vivid colours — purple, yellow, pink and white. Tecoma trees normally start sprouting flowers when they are six.

When contacted, state Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state had decided to go ahead with Tecoma tree planting as they were picturesque and manageable.

"Angsana trees grow to be very big and tall, so maintaining them is a bit difficult.

"Tecoma trees are easier to manage and their bloom is incredible," he said.

"They are often compared with the cherry blossoms in Japan, so we think having thousands of them here will be an attraction for tourists and potential Malaysia My Second Home residents from Korea, Japan and China," he said, adding that Penang would be turned into a 'mini-Japan' during Malaysian spring.

"Like the Angsana, Tecoma trees are seasonal and bloom twice a year—normally around March and a lesser bloom in June or July.

"We are arranging for Tecoma trees with purple, yellow, pink and white flowers, and the first hundred will be planted at Bayan Mutiara in conjunction with World Earth Day on April 22," Phee said.

He added that the trees would provide the perfect environment for the upcoming medical hub in that area.

"The medical hub will be a place of healing and the flowers will be perfect to provide a little softness to the concrete," Phee said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 18 April 2009