135-year old rain tree falls in Taiping Lake Gardens

TAIPING - A 135-year-old rain tree fell during a storm at Raintree Walk, in the Lake Gardens, here, on Tuesday (Feb 22), said Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir.

The main reason the tree, known by the scientific name of Samanea Saman, fell was due to an imbalance in the structure of the tree coupled with the storm on that day.

"For public safety, the area around the tree has been surrounded with security tape, and the public is advised not to do anything in the area which will cause permanent damage to the fallen tree," he said in a statement, yesterday.

Khairul Amir said the MPT would ensure that tree restoration work would be carried out as soon as possible including re-erecting it. Some of the tree branches will be pruned while some of its roots and the soil surrounding it will be treated.

Last year, the media reported that a 136-year-old rain tree which is an icon for the town had also rotted and died. - BERNAMA