In CCK Town, we have the great outdoors around us. Iconic spaces like Sungei Buloh Wetlands and Little Guilin, as well as expansive green parks like Bukit Gombak Park and Choa Chu Kang Park offer lush and lovely beauty at your doorstep!
This school holiday season, go on a green trail as a family, and discover another side of Singapore – from “autumn” trees to cotton blossoms! 🍃
- Singapore’s ‘autumn’ colours in crape myrtle trees (Lagerstroemia)
In recent years, the crape myrtle tree has been gradually introduced across the streetscape of CCK Town, spreading its branches over our roadside pavements. Look up and observe the amber, reddish hues, which appear like autumn foliage when the leaves are young.
As the trees mature, these red-tinged leaves evolve too, becoming dark green and leathery. They are also joined by attractive pink flowers, which appear throughout the year in cycles, and thrive after sunny and slightly dry periods.
The next time you encounter the crape myrtle, take note of which ‘season’ it is in!
Where to find? CCK Ave 1, CCK Ave 5, CCK Ave 6, Keat Hong Pride estate
- The useful, silky floss of the Silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra)
Here’s a multi-functional, multi-purpose species – the silk-cotton tree, or the kapok tree! In the wild, it can reach up to 70m in height. But as a cultivated tree, it usually reaches 18 – 30m.
Originally from tropical America, this tree is planted in many tropical countries for its silky fibres, which are soft, elastic, water-repellent and buoyant. The fibres, also known as floss, were used to fill pillows, cushions, mattresses, sleeping bags, and life jackets during the early to mid-20th century.
The tree’s seeds are embedded within these fibres, so if you see the woolly fibres drifting about and give it a ‘boost’ to fly farther, you might be playing a role in the plant’s propagation!
Where to find? In front of Block 488C CCK Ave 5
3. The striking sight of the Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica)
If you are an “early bird”, you might chance upon the sight of the stark, creamy-white petals of the Elephant Apple tree. Its petals unfurl in the morning, and often attract both birds and bees while the flower is in bloom.
If you look down, you can sometimes find its “fruit”, which are big, round, and heavy, and they drop to the ground when ripe. This is also the reason why the Elephant Apple tree is usually planted in gardens and parks, and not too close to the road!
Is it edible? Actually yes! The fleshly sepals surrounding the fruit can be eaten, and apparently, it tastes like unripe apples. It is usually eaten with curries or made into jams.
Where to find? Keat Hong Pride (804A Keat Hong Close) and Keat Hong Garden
4. The pretty in pink Trumpet tree (Tabeuia rosea)
Is there a silver lining to heavy rains or a long hot & dry spell? Yes, but it is not ‘silver’ – it’s ‘pink’! Specifically, the vibrant pink of Singapore’s “sakura” tree.
The trumpet tree is an eye-catching tree, especially when it is flowering and produces beautiful shades of pink in its petals. In Singapore, this usually happens between March and April, and August and September – i.e. after a long hot & dry spell is followed by heavy rains.
Catching sight of this seasonal spectacle is always a treat. While it may not be present year-round, its seasonality and temporality is precisely what makes it precious.
Where to find? CCK Ave 2
We wish you a great June holiday season. Happy nature spotting!
For more information, visit the NParks webpages on the crape myrtle, silk-cotton, elephant apple, and pink trumpet trees!