SINGAPORE - Media company Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) will have a heritage tree dedicated to it by the National Parks Board (NParks), in appreciation of its contributions to promote Singapore as a garden city.
The 35m tall Purple Millettia tree is located behind the Swan Lake in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Planted in 1889 as a sapling, this particular tree has a dense, dome-like crown with dark glossy leaves. It also has reddish-purple flowers.
This is the third time that heritage trees - trees given conservation status for their historical and ecological significance - have been dedicated to organisations or individuals in recognition of their significant donations of at least $500,000 each to the Garden City Fund.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be presenting the Heritage Tree Dedication Awards to SPH and two other companies on Nov 8, at the launch of the Clean and Green Singapore 2015 campaign.
Mr Alan Chan, chief executive of SPH, said: "SPH is pleased to accept the dedication of the heritage tree, which signifies our close and continuous partnership with NParks in conserving floral and preserving nature."
The other two companies to receive the awards are City Developments (CDL) and SembCorp.
CDL will have a Mengkulang tree dedicated to it at the Botanic Gardens' Lawn O, in appreciation of its $2 million contribution for building a green gallery at the garden's Heritage Museum.
SembCorp will receive a Kedawong tree, located beside the garden's Symphony Stage, for its $1 million contribution to set up a living gallery of endangered giant tree species in the region.
SPH's heritage tree will be located near the SPH Walk of Giants, an upcoming "learning forest" which will help promote botanical research, appreciation and conservation. The company donated $1.2 million towards this cause.
Since 2006, the SPH Foundation has also been sponsoring NParks' Special Projects to Understand Nature (SUN) Club programme, a series of nature appreciation tours for special needs children to understand and admire nature.
