The Baobab Tree and
Gardens by the Bay
by Kenneth Lyen
The Baobab Tree
The baobab tree is native to Madagascar and mainland Africa. The name "baobab" refers to an "upside down tree". It can reach a height of 30 m, and some of the species are quite fat and the trunk may sometimes have a diameter of 11 m. There are 9 species of the baobab tree, of which 6 are native to Madagascar.
The baobab tree lives in an environment that is subject to seasonal drought, and to prevent dehydration, its trunk can store water. It is estimated that some of the trees can store up to 160,000 litres of water to endure harsh dry spells. The baobab tree is also known for its longevity. Some of them have survived over 1,000 years. The oldest surviving tree was the Panke baobab found in Zimbabwe that lived to 2,450 years before it died in 2011.
Gardens by the Bay
One of the most distinguished landmarks in Singapore is Gardens by the Bay which was opened in 2012 and attracts millions of visitors. Dominating the gardens are 18 gigantic Supertrees that reach a height of 50 m. Linking two of the tallest Supertrees is a suspended walkway, as shown in the photo above.
The resemblance between these Supertrees and the baobab trees of Madagascar is quite uncanny.
Conclusions
I believe that the hallmark Supertrees "planted" in Gardens by the Bay, are inspired by the baobab trees of Madagascar. Both are beautiful, both are breathtaking, both are awe-inspiring. I hope that Singapore's Supertrees will live as long as the baobab trees, and that is up to two and a half thousand years!
Written by Kenneth Lyen
7 May 2020
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Postscript
When I took an overseas friend to see he Gardens by the Bay, he asked why the Supertrees were so oddly shaped. I answered, "they are designed like umbrellas blown inside out!" I have experienced this problem umpteen times when I was a student in England, so I thought I might just make a visual note below!
