When Termites Throw a Party and a Tree Goes Out of Order
Back in February 2021, a 20‑meter‑high Araucaria excelsa in Marsiling Park took an unexpected tumble and sadly claimed the life of Ms Loke Xiao Li. The National Parks Board (NParks) has shed light on what’s been happening inside that tree’s hollowed‑out heart.
What the Experts Found
- Silent Invaders: The termites slid in from the roots, leaving no obvious mud trails or mounds in sight.
- Healthy on the Outside: Despite the infestation, the tree’s girth was a solid 1.3 m and its leaves looked as green as ever—no hint of distress.
- Routine Check‑Ins: NParks had inspected this tree every two years up to 2019, then switched to a tighter 18‑month cadence because the tropical rains were on a roll.
- All‑Bright Verdict: “Healthy condition and excellent rigour—no decay, no cavities,” the head of streetscape, Oh Cheow Sheng, reported.
Why “Healthy” Might Be Deceptive
Think of it like a superhero who looks picture‑perfect but has hidden powers. Trees, like humans, can be dealing with tough stuff internally while still appearing fine from the outside.
NParks’s Two‑Tier Inspection Plan
NParks is in charge of roughly six million trees. They stick to the International Society of Arboriculture’s “visual assessment” roadmap:
- First Pass: A thorough scan of crown, branches, trunk and the tree’s immediate environment.
- Second Pass (When Needed): For the “red‑flagged” trees, a more advanced inspection is launched, sometimes involving a hi‑tech drill that checks internal wood strength. It’s a bit pricey, so it’s not a hands‑full affair for every single tree.
When the state coroner Adam Nakhoda asked whether all NParks inspectors were certified arborists, Oh clarified that not every inspector reached the threshold of three years in the trade. However, should a simpler check reveal worrying signs, the deeper, more expensive audits can be triggered.
Bottom Line
Even a tree that appears spry can harbor hidden threats. A seemingly healthy tree can, under the skin, be hosting termite parties that might topple it sooner than expected. NParks is tightening its protocols, but some stuck‑in‑tree‑sight CT‑scans remain a luxury—yet a critical one when the stakes are life, death or a hefty fines.
When the Foliage Went Rogue: A Tree Tumble That Stole the Show
Picture this: Ms Loke Xiao Li, earbuds on, grooving to her favorite playlist while sprinting through Marsiling Park. Then—bam!—a nearby tree tips over, dropping the kid straight into the ground. Yes, nature played a cruel prank on her and the scene was nothing short of tragic.
The Rain? The Wind? What’s the Story?
- Weather Check (Feb 18, 2021): According to Mr Azri Imran Tan of IRB Law, it was a dry day with moderate gusts. No rain to explain the drama.
- Tree’s Health: Mr Oh, the court’s witness, swore that the tree was fairly young and, as far as he could tell, pretty healthy. He even mentioned that a robust, living tree typically manages its own weight—so why did it go down?
Behind the Scenes: Termite Trouble?
NParks didn’t just sit back; they inspected the other Araucaria Excelsa trees in the park. The verdict? Some were treated with termiticide. According to Mr Oh, it’s a rare beast of a situation where a tree’s internal structure is compromised, yet it shows no obvious exterior signs. He added that over the past decade, only three trees failed due to termites.
What’s Next?
While the investigation continues into Friday, we can only hope that future park strolls remain safe—and that the trees stay on their feet.
From the Page: The Straits Times
This article originally appeared in The Straits Times. Remember, content shared here is for personal use only; proper permissions are required for any further reproduction.
