8-storey high heritage tree falls and smashes windows of Pearl Bank Apartments in Chinatown

The Straits Times
12 September 2016

A heritage tree more than eight storeys tall fell on Pearl Bank Apartments in Chinatown on Sunday (Sept 11) morning.

At least six apartments from the fourth to eighth floors were affected, Lianhe Wanbao reported.

Residents said that the loud crash as the tree's branches smashed their windows woke them up early on Sunday morning.

One of them, Mr Richard Irving, wrote on Facebook that " a sizeable limb from a tree" fell at 4.30am, making "a hell of a noise".

Photos from residents showed shattered windows, twisted window grilles and broken bathroom fittings.

The National Parks Board (NParks) was informed and operations to clear the tree began soon after the incident.

It was cleared at about 3.30pm on Monday.

The tree, a Purple Millettia, was standing at Pearl's Hill City Park before the apartment block was completed in 1976, according to the NParks' website.

The evergreen tree has dark glossy leaves and reddish-purple flowers.

It was 32m tall and estimated to be more than 60 years old when assessed in 2008.

The only other Purple Millettia listed as a heritage tree is located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This specimen planted behind Swan Lake is more than 100 years old.