By Zaki Salleh
Photo: Steven Ng/Mohd Nadzri
TAIPING: Another over 140-year-old rain tree (Samanea saman) fell at the Raintree Walk in Taiping Lake Garden here yesterday afternoon.
The incident is believed to have occurred due to strong winds during heavy rain.
Visuals and images of the fallen tree went viral on social media, receiving various reactions from the public, especially environmental enthusiasts.
Many expressed their sadness as the rain tree was one of the attractions for visitors to the popular park.
This is the latest incident after a similar tree fell in 2021 due to structural imbalance, as it had already leaned, compounded by a storm on the day of the event.
However, the tree was saved by the Taiping Municipal Council, which placed metal supports to reinforce its structure.
It is understood that before this incident, four similar trees planted during the colonial era had also fallen.
Taiping Lake Garden is said to have more than 90 rain trees planted around the lake.
All the trees are estimated to be over 140 years old, planted around 1880, and have since become a popular tourist attraction for photos.
Taiping was named the third-best city in the world in the category of the World’s Top 100 Sustainable Destinations Award at the 2018 International Sustainable Tourism Awards, and Taiping Lake Garden was recognized as a national heritage site.
