Sakura blooms brighten up streets

A row of Tecoma trees bearing pink and white flowers along Jalan Bertam Indah in Kepala Batas. – Photos: K.T. GOH, ZHAFARAN NASIB and CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

FROM neighbourhoods to industrial areas and highways, Tecoma trees lining the streets are in full bloom after the recent rainfall.

The Tecoma trees, also known as ‘Malaysian Sakura trees’, are a sight to behold especially along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Penang Botanic Gardens and the Bayan Lepas industrial area on the island.

On the mainland, they are abundant in Bandar Perda, Seberang Jaya, as well as in Jalan Pinang Tunggal and Jalan Paya Keladi in Kepala Batas.

Multi-coloured flowers adorning the street in Tanjung Pinang.

The blooming of such flowers in hues of light pink, white and off white, is a common sight especially during the height of the dry season, which is usually between January and March.

However in early March it was reported that the dry spell had caused the Tecoma flowers to wither.

Arborist Mohd Dzikry Mohd Hydzir said this year’s Tecoma flowering was significantly more than last year.

Tecoma trees found along Jalan Logan.

“While the month of March is when Tecomas trees usually flower, the prolonged hot spell followed by rain caused the trees to suddenly bloom, catching us by surprise.

“The heavy flowering indicate that the trees are healthy and they are being properly maintained by those in charge, ” he noted.

Mohd Dzikry added that it takes about five years for the Tecoma trees to grow before they start flowering.

Flowering trees carpeting the ground with fallen petals create plenty of photo opportunities near the state assembly building in Lebuh Light.

He said besides Tecoma, other trees such as Angsana and Yellowbell are also flowering around this time.

Tecoma trees are of the Tebebuia rosea species that originates from South America.

Golden Chain trees sprouting yellow flowers along Jalan Teluk Ayer Tawar in Butterworth.

In 2017, Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) planted 700 Tecoma trees at the Upcycle Park outside its headquarters and 3,000 more in 2018 at other places within Seberang Prai.

This earned the council an entry in the Malaysia Book Of Records (MBOR) for the Largest Tecoma Tree Planting Event in the country.