Trees of Yesteryears

Beyond providing us the invaluable relief we need from our tropical climate and urbanised lifestyle, our greenery is a natural heritage and an ecological jewel that deserves our best efforts to care and protect. For within this natural landscape of ours exist trees of immense historical and ecological importance to us.

The Heritage Trees Scheme is being launched by the National Parks Board (NParks) and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) to ensure the protection and preservation of this part of our national heritage. Concommitantly, to educate the community on the importance of caring for nature. To promote greater public awareness of the Heritage Trees Scheme, HSBC is dedicating its 12th series of the Care-for-Nature stamp issue to our Heritage Trees.

Featured on this set of four stamps are prominent Heritage Trees located at Fort Canning Park and Singapore Botanic Gardens. They are the Flame of the Forest Tree (NVI), Rain Tree (60c), Kapok Tree ($1) and Tembusu Tree ($1). These trees have been around for more than 50 years, with the Tembusu Tree being the oldest, estimated to be more than 100 years old.

The Flame of the Forest is a good shade tree for planting in parks and open spaces due to its broad-spreading crown. The Rain Tree is also commonly planted throughout the island for shade to create an avenue or "green tunnel effect". The Kapok Tree used to be grown for its cotton or kapok, which was formerly used for stuffing cushions, pillows, mattresses and life jackets. The Tembusu Tree with its unique form, is featured on the back of the Singapore $5 currency note and has also become a favourite photographic backdrop for newly married couples, families and overseas visitors.

Over the decades, these trees have been a salient part of Singaporeans' lives growing with us as we too deepen our roots and extend our family branches. They grow and stand as symbolic and inspirational icons of Singapore's national development.

As with past issues, HSBC will also be releasing both the Care-for-Nature Collector's Cover and Limited Edition Stamp Print Collection for sale. The cover is exclusively pre-cancelled with the official first day of issue date-stamp and a specially designed Care-for-Nature cachet. All proceeds from the sale of the Cover and Stamp Print will be donated to the Care-for-Nature Trust Fund which in turn funds a wide range of environment conservation and education projects in Singapore.