Heavy morning storm topples trees across island

Heavy morning wind and rain sent some trees toppling to the ground across the island today, causing obstruction to many road users.

STOMPer eckman88 saw this huge fallen tree at Admiralty Road West.

The road was inaccessible because the tree lay across the road.

He says:

"Fallen tree again, this time it closed the whole Admiralty Road West."

STOMPer Sam was driving to work when he was too, obstructed by a fallen tree near the Marina Barrage.

Sam says:

"I was driving to work at the Marina Barrage when suddenly I saw that I was blocked by a fallen tree.

"It fell due to the heavy rain in the morning I guess.

"I called up the people from the control room, who subsequently called NEA to help remove the fallen tree.

"Oh dear here we go again; Singapore is facing a big problem yet again".

Another STOMPer fastfastmikey also saw a fallen tree at Commonwealth.

The sender says:

"A fallen tree seen at North Buona Vista Road before Commonwealth Avenue West, blocking one of the lanes".

Brand new promenade but what a mess!

STOMPer Modern mariner visited the spanking new Woodlands Waterfront only to discover that on Monday (May 24) that the place were strewn with litter.

He wrote:

"These pictures were taken at the Woodlands Waterfront at Admiralty Road West.

"From the coastal promenade you can see the old causeway and the tall skyscrapers of Johor.

"The URA has spent $19 million to build this coastal park for the residents of Woodlands.

"Spread over an area of 9 hectares, the park has amenities like tunnels, rope bridges and children's playground.

"It has been my favourite haunt since it was first opened.

"However some foreign workers have chosen to mess up the park after their Sunday visit.

"You can see bottles and plastic bags strewn near the pier on a Monday morning.

"I hope NParks will send its wardens and rangers to patrol this park on weekends and also erect some notices that say NO LITTERING. FINE $ 1 000.

"Let us learn to treasure our parks and keep them spick and span."

Forest turned into dumping ground: hopefully NEA will take action

STOMPer Indiana Jones was disturbed that this beautiful forest at Admiralty Road West was turned into a dumping ground. He is worried that the place will soon be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and hopes NEA will take action.

He said in an email to STOMP today (Mar 22):

"These pictures were taken near the forest at Admiralty Road West which faces the Johor Straits.

"From the road the forest looks green and beautiful. This is the favourite haunt of some of the macaque monkeys which usually come to the river to forage for food.

"But if you were to take a walk into the forest you will see discarded lanterns, old fridges, plastic boxes and even old furniture.

"Of late some lorry drivers have been dumping these old furniture and boxes in the forest during the night. These boxes will soon be a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes after last week's heavy showers.

"I hope the NEA will clear all these garbage and a fortiori, erect a warning signboard to tell these irresponsible drivers that 'dumping is an offence and the fine is $1 000'."

Wood-degrading fungus thrives at Admiralty Park

The fungi seen in these pictures are known as polypores, says STOMPer Mangrove Man, who wishes to highlight the wood-degrading species to all nature enthusiasts.

The polyporus fungus grows on tree trunks and is commonly spotted on fallen tree trunks.

In an email, STOMPer Mangrove Man says:

"These pictures were taken at Admiralty Park.

"This fungus called the polyporus fungus is leathery, hard and woody. It has no stripes and grows bracket-like on tree trunks.

"The orange polypores are common on fallen tree trunks because of their ability to degrade wood.

"This mangrove tree (Bruguiera cylindrica) can reach a height of 20 m and has buttress roots. The hypocotyl is about 15 cm long, like a green cigarette and slightly curved.

"The trunk of the tree is used for firewood and timber."

Based on my copy of A Guide to Tropical Fungi, it appears that the fungus in these photos belong to the genus Polyporella, although a bit of Googling suggests that the more accurate name for these bracket fungi may be Pycnoporus instead.


Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Florida;
(Photo by pellaea)

There's an error in the description above; it's supposed to be "It has no stipes", which is a different matter from "It has no stripes". The stipe is the stem or stalk-like structure supporting the cap of a mushroom.

Bracket fungi are often found growing on decaying logs, and play an important role in helping to break down rotting wood, and facilitating the recycling of nutrients. However, some species are capable of becoming parasites, infecting living trees and causing the death of their host.

The famous lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) used in traditional Chinese medicine is a type of bracket fungus.

It would have been better if the person who submitted this to STOMP had provided a picture of a mangrove hypocotyl and explained what it was as well. I'm sure most of the people who read this post have no idea what a hypocotyl is.

Here's a photo of a bakau putih (Bruguiera cylindrica) propagule. The hypocotyl is the long green part that has already sprouted from the seed.


Bakau putih propagule, Pulau Ubin;
(Photo by Chay Hoon)

It's monkey land at Admiralty Park

STOMPer Engineer was at Admiralty Park and noticed that monkeys were moving freely in the area.

In an email to STOMP today (June 29), the STOMPer wrote:

"These long-tailed macaques were frolicking on a mangrove tree.

"The mother monkey was swinging the branch to gain momentum and after a short while, it jumped onto the pillar supporting the bridge.

"It then climbed up to reach the railing of the bridge. The baby monkey followed suit and soon the whole troupe was on the bridge.

"The monkeys climbed up the railings and jumped over each other. However, it was risky for if it missed a step it could end up in the river below which meant a fall of 5m.

"The monkeys were observing a cyclist, who was cycling past the bridge.

"These macaques live in primary and secondary forest, mangroves and the outskirts of towns and villages.

"They travel in troupes of up to 30. In Singapore it is the most common primate.

"They feed on buds, fruits, insects, crustaceans, spiders and cereals. Their most feared predator is the deadly python."

Ria has visited Admiralty Park on a number of occasions, and on her last trip there, encountered a group of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis).

Remove these plants or these walls may collapse

STOMPer Jogger is concerned that these walls may be eventually cracked by the roots of the plants growing on them. These pictures are taken at the bank of the Sungei Sembawang between Woodlands Ave 7 and Admiralty Road West.

In his email:

"The fig tree is growing on the concrete wall of the river bank. This tree has powerful roots and one day it may crack the concrete wall.

"The tree known as Ficus religiosa can grow to a height of 20m and its powerful roots will one day crack the wall of the river bank.

"This weep hole is covered with grass and this impedes drainage of water.

"Retaining walls are usually designed to drain away water that accumulates behind the wall. Otherwise, the pressure behind the wall may cause it to collapse. The weep holes should be kept clear of grass and plants so that the water can drain properly.

"It is best to remove the young plants before they cause extensive damage. I hope NEA and NParks will look into this problem."

Related posts: Complaint about danger tree on June 3, action taken to remove it on June 3 (4th June 2009)
Long tree roots may damage overhead bridge (2nd June 2009)
"Tree roots may cause this Spottiswoode Park shophouse to collapse" (6th April 2009)
Powerful tree roots damage Bukit Batok drain (9th March 2009)
Danger: Growing tree roots can crack wall of river bank (8th March 2009)
Tree growing on old shophouse may cause pillars to give way (2nd February 2009)
This tree has claimed a bridge of its own (30th January 2009)

The plant in the 3rd photo looks more like the sea hibiscus (Talipariti tiliaceum).

Personally, I prefer natural-looking river channels, instead of the ugly sterile concrete canals so prevalent throughout Singapore. As part of the ABC Waters Programme, perhaps some allowance should be provided for certain stretches of our rivers to return to a more natural state, which would not only be a great improvement from an aesthetic point of view, but also allow aquatic life to flourish.

Kudos to NParks for beautiful Sembawang Park Connector, says STOMPer

The Sembawang Park Connector is beautifully done up with an abundance of greenery, says a STOMPer, who cycled through it.

Full of praise for the park connector, he says:

"These pictures were taken at the Sembawang Park Connector (SPC) that runs alongside Sungei Sembawang from Woodlands Ave 10 all the way to Admiralty Road West.

"This park connector is very popular with the residents who come here for jogging and cycling.

"This lizard (Calotes versicolor) was spotted on the trunk of a palm tree. It is able to change its colour from yellow to green to brown to blend in with the colour of the environment.

"These three rock pigeons (Columba livia) were standing on the river bank eyeing the water in the river.

"These pigeons are fed by the residents who throw rice and corn pellets for them to eat.

"The flower of the sea putat tree (Barringtonia asiatica) is very beautiful and when the tree is blooming the crown looks purplish white.

"Reaching a height of 20m this tree provides a good shade for tired joggers.

"NParks has built some benches along the SPC. These benches have a cemented base and brown seats and they appear to be strong and sturdy.

"The SPC looks beautiful with all those flowers planted by NParks.

"The residents here are fortunate to have a green lung in the midst of their sprawling estate."

Maybe NParks would consider extending this park connector to the sea?

STOMPer Aesthetician enjoys using the Sembawang park connector and wonders if NParks would consider his suggestion of extending it all the way to the sea.

In his email to STOMP today (June 2), the STOMPer included these pictures of the park connector and an empty grass patch leading to the Sembawang beach.

"As a park lover and one who enjoys jogging on the Sembawang Park Connector, I hope NParks will acquire the empty land beside the Sungei Sembawang from Admiralty Road West to the Straits of Johor.

"The park connector (if upgraded in the near future) should run alongside the river from Woodlands Ave 10 all the way to the beach near Senoko Gas Works."

Look at this filthy Admiralty Road beach!

A STOMPer sent in these photos of rubbish strewn along the beach at Admiralty Road West.

He says:

"These pictures were taken at the beach near the Woodlands Checkpoint at Admiralty Road West.

"The place looked filthy as you can see the flotsam and jetsam washed ashore by the waves.

"There were lots of garbage, dead palm leaves, coconuts, plastic bottles and styrofoam boxes.

"Perhaps schools in the Woodlands area can send their pupils to clean up the beach on a Saturday as part of the community involvement programme (CIP).

"This will instil in our pupils a sense of urgency to protect the environment and keep our beaches spick and span.

"Part of the seawall that was broken and along this stretch several parts of the seawall were damaged by the pounding of the waves. If NEA does not take prompt action soon the whole seawall will collapse.

"A fig tree has sunk its roots into the seawall and cracked the wall. With the pounding of the waves day in and day out the collapse of the seawall is imminent.

"You can see the beautiful Johor coast near the causeway.

"An elderly man went around the coast to pick up cockles, clams and mussels.

"He had a good catch as the tide had just retreated a short while earlier."

'Fruits in nature parks not meant to be plucked'