Botanic Gardens lose iconic rain tree

The lower trunk of the 130-year-old rain tree after it was chopped down is now sitting at the Penang Botanic Gardens Department compound as a reminder of the once majestic giant.

ONCE a majestic tree with lush foliage, the iconic rain tree at the entrance of the Penang Botanic Gardens has finally been chopped down after being dead for almost two years.

What is left of the 130-year-old tree after workers cut off its remaining bare branches and most of its trunk yesterday is a stump about 1m tall. This will also be uprooted and removed later.