Introduction

Singapore, a small island city-state in Southeast Asia, has a reputation for its lush greenery despite its urban landscape. Trees play a crucial role in providing shade, reducing urban heat island effects, improving air quality, and enhancing the city's aesthetics. Therefore, it is essential to know how many trees are planted in Singapore and the efforts put into maintaining them.

A brief history of tree planting in Singapore

Singapore's tree-planting efforts began in the 1960s, when the government launched a national tree planting campaign to transform the city-state into a garden city. The goal was to plant one million trees by 1973, and the campaign was a success. Since then, the government has continued to prioritize tree planting and green infrastructure development to make Singapore a liveable and sustainable city.

Urban tree coverage and distribution

According to the National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore has a green cover of 47% of the total land area, and over 7.4 million trees of more than 400 species. That equates to roughly 3 trees per person, making Singapore one of the most green and forested cities worldwide. NParks is responsible for the planting, maintenance, and management of trees in the city-state, and it has implemented various initiatives to ensure that trees are well-distributed across Singapore's neighborhoods.

The challenges of maintaining urban trees

While Singapore's urban landscape boasts a remarkable number of trees, maintaining them is no small feat. Urban trees face several challenges such as space constraints, air pollution and acidity, heat stress, limited access to nutrients, and pest infestation. Furthermore, frequent extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall can also damage trees and create hazards to the public. As such, tree pruning, water management, and pest control are crucial in ensuring that trees remain healthy and safe for public use.

Efforts to maintain and improve urban trees in Singapore

NParks has, over the years, rolled out several initiatives aimed at maintaining and improving urban trees in Singapore. One such initiative is the installation of sensors on selected trees across Singapore that capture real-time data on factors such as soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. The data is then used to monitor the health of the trees and ensure that their water and fertilization needs are met.

Another initiative is NParks' Tree Pruning Management Plan, which outlines the pruning schedules for all trees in the city-state based on species and age. The plan helps to streamline pruning efforts and ensures that trees receive the necessary care at the right time to reduce the risk of tree failures and accidents.

NParks also engages in continuous research and development to improve the health and resilience of urban trees in Singapore. It has tested various irrigation systems to ensure that trees receive sufficient water while minimizing wastage. NParks has also developed biological control methods for pest management, reducing the need for harmful pesticides that can harm the environment and human health.

Conclusion

Singapore's urban trees are a testament to the nation's commitment to sustainability and liveability. Their presence is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides a host of benefits to the environment and society. With NParks' dedicated efforts to maintaining and improving urban trees, Singapore continues to be a leading city for urban greening, setting an example for other cities to follow.