23-year-old raintree at NUH removed as it was leaning towards playground & had decay in roots

An iconic decades-old raintree at National University Hospital (NUH) has been removed.

NUH announced in a Apr. 22 Facebook post that the 23-year-old raintree (Samanea saman) located at Gren Canopy, beside the Children’s Playground at Main Building, has been removed.

The announcement coincided with Earth Day.

NUH said the tree “was a familiar sight to patients, families, and staff over the years” and an icon of the hospital’s grounds.

Safety concerns

In response to Mothership’s queries, NUH said the tree was removed on Apr. 19 following a tree risk assessment by a certified arborist.

The tree was observed to be leaning at a pronounced angle towards the playground, with heavy overhanging branches.

Decay was evident in its root system, and the site conditions limited deep root development.

A heavy crown and compromised root stability resulted in partial uprooting, NUH added.

As the tree was near a high-traffic area, the arborist deemed the removal of the tree necessary to mitigate potential safety risks.

Tree will be remembered

NUH said the Facebook post was “an act of remembrance” that allowed members of its community to reflect on what the tree meant to them.

Before its removal, NUH informed staff in nearby departments so that they had the opportunity to visit the tree.

The hospital is home to close to 2,100 trees, NUH added.

NUH has also planned for a young replacement tree to be planted at the site.

“Over time, we hope it will grow to provide the same sense of comfort and familiarity for future generations,” NUH said.