Raintree, Jalan Hang JebatNick Baker, 58, geologistLiving at Jalan Hang Jebat for about 10 years until 2013, Mr Baker has passed by thisgigantic unpruned raintree countless times. He is particularly fond of this tree for its sizeand the thickness of its crown, a rare sight in Singapore since most raintrees are prunedregularly.The Portsdown area, where the tree stands, was a residential estate for the Britishmilitary in the 1930s. Many raintrees there were planted in the 1960s to provide shadeand create a rustic ambience. But this raintree, looking much bigger than the rest,seems to have been there for a much longer time. Mr Baker adds that it is also home toa great diversity of animals including spotted wood owls and paradise tree snakes.
