By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) is currently conducting a study to assess whether the city’s iconic tree, the Ipoh tree planted in front of the Ipoh Railway Station, can be replanted at another, more suitable location.
This is to ensure its continued survival, given the Ipoh tree’s status as a symbol of the city.
Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamakhshari Hanipah said that the Ipoh tree, scientifically known as Antiaris toxicaria, must indeed be preserved, and even planted in greater numbers, especially at important locations.
According to him, MBI’s Landscape Department is carrying out a study on the soil conditions at the square where the tree is currently planted.
“If we need to add fertilizer or take other measures, we will do so.
“In fact, this is the fifth attempt to plant an Ipoh tree at that location, after several previous planting efforts failed when the trees died,” he said.
He made these remarks when met during a media visit organised by the Perak State Media Practitioners Association together with the Ipoh Mayor at his office.
Elaborating further, Zamakhshari acknowledged the importance of the tree, which is the origin of the name of the city of Ipoh.
“Ipoh would not be Ipoh without that tree,” he said referring to the rainforest tree.
However, he noted that the current location may not be suitable for the tree’s growth.
“We are considering other locations (within the city),” he added.
The deteriorating health of the tree had previously been reported by Ipoh Echo / Peraktastic before the news went viral and even drew a response from the Perak state government.
The Ipoh tree now resembles a dead stump, with only bare branches left without leaves, raising questions about whether the tree has been properly cared for.
The iconic Ipoh tree in front of the Ipoh Railway Station once made newspaper headlines when the original tree collapsed on 28 April 2017 due to heavy rain and strong winds, after standing for 37 years.
However, the Perak government replanted a new sapling at the same location on 21 February 2018, carried out by the then Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The replanting served as a new symbol of the city of Ipoh, marking the restoration of this natural heritage after the new sapling was planted by the Menteri Besar at the time.
