15 April 2008 – In a few years’ time, Singaporeans passing along Sungei Tengah and West Coast would be treated to a visual spectacle of lush, green young trees sprawling across more than 30 hectares of State land.

The National Parks Board (NParks) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) – tapping on each other’s resources and expertise - have embarked on their biggest tree-banks project. Four sites in Sungei Tengah and the West Coast area are being used to nurture young, high-value trees to meet future demands for landscaping in Singapore. These trees will liven up Singapore’s streetscape and add more than a touch of greenery in upcoming significant NParks projects such as Gardens by the Bay, the Streetscape Greenery Masterplan and new park developments.

SLA is known for its role as the central land bank of Singapore’s 14,000 hectares of State land. It is now also the tree bank of some 11,000 trees planted on four State land sites. There are 3 sites in Sungei Tengah and 1 in West Coast. The Sungei Tengah (Lorong Pasu) sites measure a total of 24 ha and the West Coast site provides 7ha of tree-bank space.

Several factors go into site selection, such as accessibility, size, location and the suitability of the ground for tree banking. More than two months of planning, sourcing and surveying work were done before the project was implemented in June 2007.

The 11,000 trees that have been planted so far comprises 72 different species of trees, with 75% being species found in the region. The tree banks also serve as temporary holding areas for trees salvaged from various sites before they are transplanted in other parts of Singapore.

SLA’s Deputy Director of Land Asset Management Services, Mr Lewis Koh, said: “This joint initiative by SLA and NParks to create tree banks effectively optimises the use of vacant State land, and provides a long-term supply of trees for landscaping needs in Singapore. Our State lands are beautified aesthetically and this enhances the value of our land as green lungs for the community. We will continue to identify and study sites with the potential for tree banks on more State land.”

NParks’ Director of Streetscape, Mr Simon Longman, said: “SLA has shown great spirit of collaboration as a fellow government agency to help NParks in our overall efforts to make Singapore a ‘City in a Garden’. The tree banks allow us to pre-grow quality trees, and provide lush greenery and better shade at a faster rate. We are also able to make available trees of more diverse species. Many of these tree species are native to the forests of this region. By planting them in various parts of Singapore, we are introducing a greater biodiverse mix of trees in urban areas and enhancing our natural heritage”

To maximise the land space at the current sites and simplify inventory process of the stocks, NParks planted the trees plantation-style using a patented system of root control bag from the United States which will ease the transplanting process in about 3 to 5 years’ time. The bags help contain the root structure of the plants, making harvesting easier and quicker.

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Issued by:
The National Parks Board & Singapore Land Authority
15 April 2008

About National Parks Board

National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for providing and enhancing greenery of the Garden City. Beyond green infrastructure, NParks is committed to enhance the quality of life through creating memorable recreational experiences and lifestyles.

NParks manages more than 300 parks, the park connector network and the lush roadside greenery in Singapore. Some of the parks managed include Singapore Botanic Gardens, Fort Canning Park, East Coast Park, Bishan Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Pulau Ubin Recreation Area. In addition, NParks manages nature reserves such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

As the scientific authority on nature conservation, NParks monitors and coordinates measures to ensure the health of Singapore’s biodiversity.

NParks is also the lead agency in the efforts to continually upgrade the Landscape and Horticulture Industry in Singapore. It works closely with industry partners to promote good work practices and create a thriving, innovative and professional industry that will support Singapore’s aspirations of being a City in the Garden.

For more information, log on to: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

About Singapore Land Authority
Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is a statutory board with the Ministry of Law. Its mission is to optimise land resources for the economic and social development of Singapore. SLA is responsible for the direct management of some 14,000 hectares of State land and about 5,000 buildings. It is also in charge of land sales, leases, acquisitions and allocation, developing and marketing land-related information, and maintaining the national land information database through digitised land information services. SLA is also the national land registration authority for property transactions, and the issuance and guarantee of land titles in Singapore. It also manages and maintains the national land survey system, including the defining of boundaries or legal limits of properties based on a coordinated cadastre survey system.

For more details, visit www.sla.gov.sg