CentralKapur2012

Kapur (HT 2012-192)

This Heritage Tree can be found in Singapore Botanic Gardens, near HT Mountain Teak.

Tall trees with dense green foliage in a park, a lamppost, and a person walking along a path covered with fallen leaves.

📷: Hazri Boey

Heritage Tree Information

Reference ID
HT 2012-192

Scientific name: Dryobalanops aromatica
Family name: Dipterocarpaceae
Girth: 3 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 26.2 m

Location
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Lawn E (near HT Mountain Teak) (View Map) (opens in new tab)

This Heritage Tree was planted in July 1942, from seeds collected by E.J.H. Corner from the eastern coast of Malaya.

Corner wrote in the 3rd edition of his book, Wayside Trees of Malaya (1988), "In parts of the East Coast States, the kapur formed almost pure forests, and it was at once distinguished by its beautiful, open, fine-leafed crown. It was one of the tallest trees in the Indo-Malayan tropics, frequently attaining more than 200 feet (60m) in height."

Kapur-forests have been logged so extensively that they are hardly to be seen. This species produces an aromatic resin which can be found all over the tree. To smell the resin, you can crush the fallen leaves at the tree base. The wood of the Kapur can be used in general construction such as flooring and decking.

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