Friday, February 27, 2009

Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange

Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
After Friday prayers at a nearby Mosque around Tampine interchange, a STOMPer was shocked to see a big tree crack and fall onto a dozen motorbikes.

In an email to STOMP, he recounts his experience.

"It was just after Friday prayers and the crowd was leaving the mosque when the first few people suddenly stopped in disbelief.

"A big tree cracked and fell on a dozen bikes crashing them to the ground and causing serious damage."

Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange
Tree falls on bikes near Tampines interchange

Beautiful pink and white flowers at CCK cemetery- Is it sakura?

Beautiful pink and white flowers at CCK cemetery- Is it sakura?
STOMPer global netizen saw these beautiful pink and white flowers at the Choa Chu Kang Christian cemetery and wondered whether they were the famous Japanese cherry blossoms, known as sakura.

This STOMPer says:

"Sakura in Singapore? So nice and beautiful.

"It can be seen at the Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery foot path, once a year.

"This is the season to see such a beautiful scene. It is so peaceful and tender.

"It is not the real sakura, but it is white and pink. Anyone knows what kind of flower is this?"

Beautiful pink and white flowers at CCK cemetery- Is it sakura?

Sakura (kanji: 桜 or 櫻; hiragana: さくら) is the Japanese name for cherry trees (Prunus spp.) and their blossoms, although the term in English usually refers to the ornamental varieties of cherry, which produce inedible fruit. The mass flowering of cherry trees is most often associated with Japan, although similar episodes do occur elsewhere in temperate parts of the world. The Wikipedia page on cherry blossoms provides some useful information on the importance of this phenomenon in Japanese culture.

I'm not too sure about the identity of the trees in this post; they could be pink mempat (Cratoxylum formosum) (also known as the Singapore sakura), rose of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa), or trumpet tree (Tabebuia rosea). Two or more species might also be involved. Without photographs showing the flowers and leaves in greater detail, it's difficult for me to narrow it down further. My knowledge of Singapore's flora is extremely poor, so I hope someone else is able to identify these trees.

Update: This post over at Garden Voices leads me to believe that the trees in question are trumpet trees.

A post from 23rd November 2006 documents a similar mass flowering event in Ang Mo Kio.


Pink mempat, East Coast Park
(Photo by Artistic Creations)

Many of these trees were planted for ornamental purposes. According to The Natural Heritage of Singapore:
The second phase in the 1980s saw planting of species with colourful flowers like the yellow flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum) with its numerous yellow blooms, flame-of-the-forest (Delonix regia) with its scarlet flowers which can be seen from great distances, rose of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa) with its bluish purple flowers, golden shower (Cassia fistula) with its striking, numerous blooms like hanging streamers, mempat (Cratoxylum formosum or Cratoxylum cochinchinense) which shed their leaves and then produce numerous pink blooms in the whole crown like a local version of the cherry blossom, trumpet tree (Tabebuia rosea) which produces heavy flushes of white or light to dark pink flowers, etc. This colour exercise met patchy success as many of these species required strong seasonal cues to flower, being native to more seasonal climes, unlike the rather aseasonal Singapore climate, so colour was not always on tap, unless an atypical drought period was experienced locally, then trees would synchronously bloom in the following wet period.

Given that Singapore was slowly wilting under the heat of a particularly bad dry spell for much of January and February, and also taking into account the fact that we have finally received some much-needed relief in the form of heavy afternoon showers over the past few days, it's not surprising that these trees have flowered in response.


Rose of India, Thailand
(Photo by autan)

I found an article on this blog called the Human Flower Project, which dates back to March 2005, about a similar mass flowering episode which occurred in Singapore at that time.

Singapore's Pink Rain


Trumpet tree, Brazil
(Photo by C.Lisboa)

The pink mempat is a native of the region, the rose of India hails from southern Asia, whereas the trumpet tree is an exotic species native to tropical Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Venezuela and Ecuador.

It is interesting to note that a few other tree species found in Singapore, such as the tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) and sea apple (Syzygium grande), will occasionally synchronise their flowering, such that nearly every mature tree in Singapore can be seen flowering at the same time. One such example was seen with the sea apple in October 2007; this phenomenon was documented over at Habitatnews.

Such mass flowering events are not only pleasing to the eye, but also attract a wide variety of insects, birds and small mammals such as squirrels and bats, which visit the flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. Other species that don't feed on nectar may also derive some benefit; insectivorous birds may flock to these trees to feed on the insects attracted to the flowers.

Here are a few relevant posts over at the Bird Ecology Study Group:

Nectar party at the saraca tree
Syzygium sp. and the birds it attracts
Flowering umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) and birds
Saraca and sunbirds
The mempat tree
Flowering Sea Apple Trees at Sime Forest

I wonder if other tree species are also going to bloom as a result of this change in weather.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

'Instant trees' to add greenery to our concrete jungle

'Instant trees' to add greenery to our concrete jungle
We have heard of instant coffee and instant photographs. So why not instant trees to help beautify out city, says a STOMPer.

He says:

"This picture was taken at Queen Street where a new building was nearing completion.

"The new building is surrounded by Queen Street, Manila Street and Victoria Street.

"I saw some workers unloading the so-called 'instant trees' from a lorry and placing them on the sidewalk.

"The trees had short roots and the bases were covered with black plastic bags to hold the soil in place.

"As the newly-planted trees did not have strong roots, they were held in position by supporting them with wooden poles tied to the stems.

"Later when the trees are fully grown and leaves have sprouted the poles will be removed.

"Those trees planted a few weeks earlier had already sprouted new leaves.

"If we can have instant coffee and instant photographs, why not instant trees to bring some greenery to our concrete jungle."

'Instant trees' to add greenery to our concrete jungle
'Instant trees' to add greenery to our concrete jungle

Dead bird spotted in Ang Mo Kio. How did it die?

Dead bird spotted in Ang Mo Kio. How did it die?
STOMPer Dave saw this dead bird in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 and wonders how it died.

He said:

"I spotted this dead bird along Ang Mo Kio Ave 9, opposite a police station.

"I wonder how it died."

Related post: Dead birds found near Taman Jurong market (4th January 2009)

The dead bird in this photo is a male Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). Of course, without a biopsy of the specimen, it is impossible to guess the cause of death.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Monday Morgue: 23rd February 2009

P1160320
Knobbly sea star (Protoreaster nodosus)
Hausmann Marketing & Aquarium, 4th January 2009

P1160322
The life of a juvenile knobbly sea star - worth just $4.50.

And there I was thinking that every encounter with this rare gem on our shores was priceless.

Wild Fact Sheets
Star Trackers
The Echinoblog

Friday, February 20, 2009

Two trees in Yishun Park share one root

Two trees in Yishun Park share one root
How did these two trees come to share a single root? That's what STOMPer Jerry wants to know after spotting the conjoined trees in Yishun Park.

He says in an e-mail dated February 20:

"Please see these pictures.

"I found these two trees in Yishun Park.

"It seems like both tall old trees have merged their roots. Or were they twins in the first place?

"How is the water distributed within the roots?

"Not sure how this could have happened."

Do you have any idea? Let us know.

Two trees in Yishun Park share one root
Two trees in Yishun Park share one root

The explanation is very simple: these trees are most likely part of a single organism.

Many plants have an extensive network of roots or underground stems that will send up new shoots at intervals. Thus what appears to be a grove of several trees may actually turn out to be a single "supertree", with the individual trees being clones of one another, having sprouted from the same root system. The quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a North American tree well-known for this trait. Huge colonies may extend over several hectares, and collectively weight several tonnes. One such quaking aspen colony, nicknamed "Pando", which grows in the state of Utah in the United States of America, is estimated to encompass 43 hectares and weigh 6,000 tonnes, making it the heaviest known organism.


Quaking aspen grove in Utah. This grove is a part of "Pando"
(Photo taken from Wikipedia)

In Southeast Asia, the Nipah palm (Nypa fruticans) is similar in this regard; this palm appears to lack a trunk, but what's actually happening is that the trunk grows horizontally underground, with leaf fronds sprouting from it at intervals. Hence, dense stands of this palm growing in mangroves are often sprouting from a single trunk.

Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk

Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
STOMPer Wen Bin recently took a trip down to the picturesque Henderson Waves and Forest Walk. He sent in these stunning pictures to share.

Here's what he wrote in an email today (Feb 20).

"I would like to share some selected shots I took at Henderson Waves and Forest Walk.

"This is a great place for destressing and having a workout.

"I highly recommend it for nature lovers."
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk
Stressed out? Relax at the beautiful Henderson Waves and Forest Walk

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Overhanging branches at Mount Faber sidewalk a nuisance to pedestrians

Overhanging branches at Mount Faber sidewalk a nuisance to pedestrians
A STOMPer says these overhanging branches along a sidewalk at Mount Faber are a nuisance to pedestrians.

He says:

"I was walking from the Southern Ridge to Mount Faber along this pavement. The branches were so long that you can find ants and other insects falling on your head.

"Why have they been left uncut for so long?"

S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out

S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out
Kudos to the firefighters and personnel handling the forest fires at the Bukit Batok area, because according to STOMPer Ming, they were not easy to put out.

In an email to STOMP today (Feb 19), the STOMPer wrote:

"Great job done by all the firefighters and personnel handling the fire at Bukit Batok forest area under sudden and difficult environment.

"The pictures shows just how extend the fire ravage the trees with such intense ferocity.

"It can be clearly seen that the second day of the fire was much more damaging and difficult to contain.

"Hope this is a good eye-opener for everyone in Singapore that a fire can be very dangerous when it gets out of control."

The STOMPer sent in these pictures of the fire and the aftermath.

S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out
S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out
S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out
S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it


- We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel

Through the fire and the flames: A collection of news articles and Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires and haze in Singapore

This post will serve as a repository for all news articles and Seen on STOMP posts regarding the current spate of bushfires and hazy conditions in Singapore. Instead of having to manually update and re-publish every fire-related post every time I have a new article, I've decided that it would be much more efficient for me to just update this single post, and link all the relevant posts to this one.

News articles: In case of fire, land buffer can save lives (12th March 2009) (Mirror)
Clear and present danger (24th February 2009) (Mirror)
95% of vegetation fires to date caused by human-related activities (24th February 2009) (Mirror)
Carelessness behind 95% of bush fires (24th February 2009) (Mirror)
Carelessness caused fires (24th February 2009)
Big forest fire in Tampines (22nd February 2009) (Mirror)
3 bush fires in a day (22nd February 2009)
Singapore not affected by haze in Sumatra (22nd February 2009) (Mirror)
Blazing Again (19th February 2009) (Mirror)
Bush fire watch (19th February 2009)
Bukit Batok bush fires keep firemen busy (1st Mirror, 2nd Mirror) (18th February 2009)
S'pore fires hit decade high (18th February 2009)
Haze is back, but blame it on fires in Singapore (17th February 2009) (Mirror)
Record high of vegetation fires in Singapore (17th February 2009) (Mirror)
Dry spell causes bush fires to surge to record numbers (16th February 2009) (Mirror)
S'pore bush fires hit record high (16th February 2009) (Mirror)
Lazy winds, hazy days (16th February 2009)
Smoke's in the air (14th February 2009) (Mirror)
Slight haze in Singapore, but PSI reading within good range (13th February 2009) (Mirror)
Fire razes forested area in Sengkang (10th February 2009) (Mirror)
Dry spell to carry on in Singapore (6th February 2009) (Mirror)
Bush fire at Tampines (31st January 2009)
Singapore: Driest January in 10 years (31st January 2009) (Mirror)
SCDF put out 146 bush fires this month (29th January 2009) (Mirror)

Seen on STOMP: S'poreans should know that Bukit Batok forest fires not easy to put out
Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause? (18th February 2009)
Second fire at Bukit Batok captured on video (18th February 2009)
Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site (18th February 2009)
Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok (17th February 2009)
S'porean concern about Aussie-type fire disaster here (17th February 2009)
Bushfire starts despite earlier rain (17th February 2009)
Bukit Batok bushfire a surreal experience for fire safety engineer (17th February 2009)
"Terrifying to see huge balls of fire in S'pore" (17th February 2009)
Firemen battle hilltop bush-fire in Bukit Batok (16th February 2009)
Haze back in S'pore? Healthy PSI reading, but can still see and smell smoke in air (15th February 2009)
Look at the damage wreaked by S'pore's own bush-fire in Sengkang (12th February 2009)
Tampines bush fire so huge, it can be seen from Eunos (31st January 2009)
Trees on fire at Sungei Tengah (24th January 2009)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause?

Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause?
STOMPer Alan captured these photos of what seemed to be a reddish-looking sun from his home in Joo Seng Road at about 8.30am yesterday (Feb 17).

Could the recent bush-fires and haze be the cause of this, he wonders.

He says:

"The recent haze and bush-fires may have caused the sun to turn dark red in the morning and also carries an halo.

"It is a phenomenon you don't see often."

Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause?
Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause?
Reddish sun in S'pore: Could haze and bush-fires be the cause?

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore

The person who submitted this article is correct in guessing that the haze and smoke from the bushfires is causing this effect.

What we are seeing is a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. In essence, as it travels through the atmosphere, the sun's light is scattered due to the presence of tiny particles in the air. Blue light, which has a shorter wavelength than red light, is scattered much more easily; this is why the sky appears blue during the day, and also explains why the sun takes on a more reddish tinge during sunrise and sunset.

WikiAnswers explains it in layman terms:
White light coming from the Sun contains all colors of light from red to blue. The molecules in Earth's atmosphere do not scatter much of the red light, but they do scatter a significant amount of blue light. This effect causes the blue sky.

These molecules scattering light also cause the Sun to appear redder than it really is. When the Sun is high in the sky the amount of reddening is small. However the Sun will still appear redder from the ground than from space because the atmosphere scatters some of the blue light.

When the Sun is low in the sky, much more of the blue light coming from the Sun is scattered away from the direct path towards our eyes. Hence the Sun will appear very red when it is low in the sky.

[...]

The effect can increase when the Sun sets or rises over a large city. Pollution particles increase the effect by scattering or absorbing more blue light than red light.

Due to the increased amount of particles in the air due to the smoke from bushfires, there is increased scattering of blue light, hence accounting for the sun's reddish tinge. Similarly, volcanic eruptions that throw up lots of dust and ash into the atmosphere can also cause spectacularly red sunsets.

I haven't really paid any attention to the sunrise and sunset lately, but if the sun does indeed look like this in the mornings and evenings, this is the most plausible explanation.

Red Sun, Red Moon
They said someday you'll find
All who love are blind
Oh, when your heart's on fire
You must realise
Smoke gets in your eyes


- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters

Second fire at Bukit Batok captured on video

Second fire at Bukit Batok captured on video
Although the fire that occurred in Bukit Batok on February 16 was put out, another broke out on February 17. STOMPer Geok Cheng took this video of the second fire to show fellow STOMPers the severity of the second bush-fire.

Geok Cheng says:

"Here are some photos and a video of the fire that broke out on February 17 2009, at Bukit Batok around 4.30pm.

"This is the second time a fire broke out in the Bukit Batok forest. The first occurred on February 16 2009.

"Hope these photos are of some use.

"Photos taken from Block 122 Bukit Batok Central."

Second fire at Bukit Batok captured on video

Do check out the video posted on STOMP.

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter
You're the firestarter, twisted firestarter
I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter


- Firestarter by The Prodigy

Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site

Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site
The bush-fire at Bukit Batok was so large that firemen had to work extra hard and take turns having their dinner on-site to ensure that it was put out, says STOMPer WS.

The fire had been put out earlier on Tuesday morning (February 17) but started again in the afternoon.

This time round, the fire had spread towards the road and caused the Bukit Batok neighbourhood to be covered in soot and smoke.

WS says in an e-mail dated February 17:

"Bukit Batok hilltop fire was put out this morning. At 1pm, at the same spot, the fire started again. This time, it spread out near the road. The whole of Bukit Batok is now smoky and smelly.

"Ashes were all around. Curious people were looking out to the dense smoke.

"The firemen linked all their hoses together so that they can reach the tree top.

"Situation was finally controlled in the later afternoon around 5pm to 6pm. However, the firemen had to take turns to have their dinner at the void deck to ensure fires in all spots are fully put out."

Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site
Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site
Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site
Fire so large that SCDF firemen take turns having dinner on-site

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore
The roof the roof the roof is on fire
We don't need no water let the motherfucker burn
Burn motherfucker burn
Burn motherfucker burn
The roof the roof the roof is on fire


- The Roof Is On Fire by The Grim Reaper

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok

Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok
When STOMPer Chua looked out of the window at his Bukit Batok Central flat, he was shocked to be greeted by a cloud of dust and smoke.

A fire had broken out in the forested area nearby and caused a thick cloud of smoke to rise.

The fire, which started before 3:30pm on February 17, had not been put out one and a half hours later.

Chua says:

"I thought they were fogging the area with insecticide at first but when I opened the window I realised that there was a huge fire.

"There is a lot of smoke and the fire is spreading to the other corner.

"I did not see any fire engines until 4:15pm, when a small truck arrived with a few men. They did not seem to be able to handle the fire very well. It didn’t seem like they could put it out.

"Until now, the fire is still spreading.

"My house is covered in soot and dust now."

Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok
Related story:
S'poreans concerned about Aussie-type fire disaster here

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore
We on fire
Up in here, it's burning hot
We on fire
Shorty take it off if it get too hot, up in this spot
We on fire
Tear the roof off this motherfucker, light the roof on fire
Nigga what you say
We get loose in this motherfucker, light the roof on fire


- On Fire by Lloyd Banks

S'porean concern about Aussie-type fire disaster here

S'porean concern about Aussie-type fire disaster here
As the bushfires in Australia cause a staggering amount of damage to lives and property, Singaporeans have become concerned about the vegetation fires that have erupted here.

On Feb 12, STOMPer YW posted an article upon discovering the bushes all cleared along Upper Serangoon Road, leaving only ashes in its wake.

More recently, there was another fire at Bukit Batok on the evening of Feb 16, and four STOMPers emailed STOMP. Ming commented that although the fire was contained, it erupted into huge fireballs several times.

As for STOMPer WS, he expressed his confusion about how the fire started, as it had been raining beforehand.

STOMP contacted SCDF and this was their reply to the Bukit Batok fire on Feb 16:

"The fire was located on the top of the hill, rendering it difficult to access.

"The affected area was the size of two basketball courts.

"The fire was under control approximately 30 minutes after SCDF arrived on the scene."

When questioned about people's concerns that this could turn into an Aussie-type fire disaster, SCDF had this to say:

"This fire was different to deal with as it was on top of a hill.

"We do have an advisory for people to follow.

"One, do not throw lighted materials such as cigarettes in fields and rubbish dumps.

"Two, do not dispose rubbish in open fields and gardens. Rubbish dumps provide fuel to sustain fires.

"Three, households with gardens should keep the grass watered.

"Four, incense papers should be burned in the bins provided and kept a safe distance away from combustible materials.

"When the ritual is over, the surroundings should be checked for smouldering remains to ensure that materials are completely extinguished."

Read their articles:
"Terrifying to see huge balls of fire in S'pore"
Bukit Batok bushfire a surreal experience for fire safety engineer
Bushfire starts despite earlier rain
Firemen battle hilltop bush-fire in Bukit Batok
Look at the damage wreaked by S'pore's own bush-fire in Sengkang
Yet another bush-fire at Bukit Batok

Go here for relevant news articles and related Seen on STOMP posts on bushfires in Singapore

What can I say? With the increase in bushfires, today saw a sudden spate of fiery posts on STOMP. I don't think I can recall any other year in recent memory where we faced such a problem with bushfires.

So much for the passing shower yesterday afternoon. Today, the heat is back with a vengeance. I'm hoping that people are more aware of the impact of their thoughtless actions; a carelessly thrown cigarette butt or lit joss paper blowing about can start a conflagration. Singapore doesn't have a fire awareness mascot like Smokey Bear, but it would do for people to be more careful about preventing and managing fire, both in the home and out of doors
When I'm on fire
When you're near me
I'm on fire
When you speak
And I'm on fire
Burning at these mysteries
Mysteries...


- On Fire by Switchfoot