Taiping Lake Gardens Beautified with Replanting of Rain Trees
The Taiping Lake Gardens area is being beautified with the replanting of several rain trees at selected locations along the main roads around the gardens. Eight rain trees were relocated from Jalan Kamunting - Batu Kurau, opposite the Taiping Vocational College, to the Taiping Lake Gardens.
According to the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT), the planted trees will be closely monitored to ensure they grow healthily. The relocation and replanting of these trees have been carried out in stages and according to needs since last January. To date, the relocation work has been successfully completed, and MPT will continue to monitor the progress and condition of the trees.
The locations involved are along Jalan Pekeliling, from Hotel Seri Malaysia to the FMS Station, to replace trees that had fallen or died in the area. These relocation sites were chosen to provide better and more aesthetic growth space with appropriate spacing.
The Samanea Saman, or rain tree, that adorns the Taiping Lake Gardens is said to have originated from South America and was first planted in Malaya around 1876. These trees were introduced for urban planting as early as the 1900s and remain popular today, especially along roadsides and highways. The tree has a unique characteristic where its compound leaves fold up at dusk or during rain, which is why it is called the 'rain tree' (pokok hujan-hujan).
The Samanea Saman grows rapidly even in challenging environments. When planted on both sides of a road, the canopies of mature trees spread like umbrellas, meeting to create a shaded archway effect. Mature rain trees look majestic and impressive, though sometimes intimidating when covered in epiphytes or parasitic plants like bird's nest ferns, staghorn ferns, or pigeon orchids. Its flowers are small, clustered, white to pink, and quite fragrant. The 'yellow' Samanea Saman, a genetic variation, produces golden-yellow leaves. During the dry season, this golden hue becomes more prominent and stands out against its reddish flowers, creating a truly attractive display.
