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Garden City Fund
Value-Added Enhancements

Sembcorp Forest of Giants

21 April 2010

An arboretum at the Southern Ridges featuring over 600 giant tree species native to the region that were threatened by urbanisation.

In partnership with Sembcorp Industries

S$1 million to set up a living gallery of giant tree species which are threatened in the region, and to fund green educational programmes at the Southern Ridges to benefit the community.

About the Project
Visitors to the Southern Ridges can now learn more about a special collection of giant trees native to the region. Named the Sembcorp Forest of Giants in appreciation of a sponsorship of S$1 million from Sembcorp Industries, the arboretum - a living gallery of trees for education and research is part of the NParks' initiative to enhance biodiversity within urban areas.

The Sembcorp Forest of Giants collection comprises over 600 trees that originally dominated our regional landscape before the advent of urbanisation.

Also known as emergents - large trees that grow above the forest canopy - some of the 55 species selected for the collection can attain heights of over 80m in the wild. These giant tree species can take more than 50 years to mature and reach such great heights. NParks has also planted a visually striking collection of trees with large leaves.

A tall, dense green tree stands in a grassy area with other trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

One of the giant trees, the Jelutong (Dyera costulata), at its full height in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. See how it towers over the surrounding trees?

The generous donation funded the planting of these giant trees, as well as outreach programmes to promote awareness and enjoyment of the Forest. Part of the donation was also used to establish the Sembcorp Education and Conservation Fund to support deserving projects under the GCF.

As the number of giant trees has dwindled within the region, the Sembcorp Forest of Giants will enable park visitors to view and experience firsthand, rare and majestic specimens of the biodiversity that once thrived in our regional landscape. The Forest also allows researchers to better identify suitable species for future urban planting along our roads and in our parks.

If you would like to learn more about current conservation efforts and how to contribute to these, please email garden_city_fund@nparks.gov.sg (opens in new tab).