Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam. (opens in new tab)

Heritage Trees of Singapore
EastRed Mahogany2001

Red Mahogany of Guillemard Road Open Space

These Heritage Trees can be found in Guillemard Road Open Space.

Park with tall trees in the foreground, buildings with red roofs and modern apartments in the background.
📷: Brendon Phuah

Heritage Tree Information

Scientific name: Khaya nyasica
Family name: Meliaceae

Location
Guillemard Road Open Space

Reference ID

Tree Girth

Tree Height

HT 2001-14 (View Map) (opens in new tab)

3.28 m @ 1.3 m height

31 m

HT 2001-15 (View Map) (opens in new tab)

3.26 m @ 1.3 m height

31 m

HT 2001-16 (View Map) (opens in new tab)

2.78 m @ 1.3 m height

24.2 m

The Red Mahogany is a large tree growing up to 60 m tall in its native environment. Its trunk is massive and straight, supported by buttresses, and is covered in greyish-brown bark. The compound leaves have leaflets measuring approximately 17 cm by 7 cm, and dark glossy green on the upper surface and a paler and lighter green on the underside. Its white flowers carry a sweet fragrance, and the tennis-ball sized fruits are woody capsules measuring 3 to 5 cm in diameter, which split open into 4 to 5 valves upon maturity. Each capsule contains seeds that are winged, allowing them to be dispersed by the wind.

This species is native to Tropical Africa and was introduced to Singapore in the late 1970s.

The surrounding area used to be a Malay settlement in the early 19th century which grew coconut plantations in the mid-1850s before cultivating lemongrass, hence the name Geylang Serai (Serai is Malay for lemongrass). The Geylang police post used to be situated here in the 1970s, before it was converted into a green space where these trees were planted. Red Mahogany trees are now uncommon in our landscape, and this cluster of three Heritage Trees serve as a reminder of our past floral heritage. This Heritage Tree had a girth of 2.9 m when measured in 2001.

For more information on this species, please refer to NParks' Flora & Fauna Web profile. (opens in new tab)