Tecoma trees bloom anew

Muhammad Akmal taking a picture of mother Rusliza and sister Nur Atikah under a Tecoma tree in Jalan Stadium, Alor Setar. — Photos: G.C. TAN/The Star

Kota Setar’s beloved Tecoma trees in Kedah are blossoming anew after a hot spell earlier was thought to have cut short the annual blooming season.

Flowers by the tens of thousands are bursting out of 1,000-odd Tecoma trees, adding soft pastels to the streetscape.

The Tecoma trees with their white, pink, purple and yellow flowers, known as Tabebuia trees, are in full bloom along Jalan Langgar, Jalan Stadium, Jalan Putera, Lebuhraya Darul Aman, Jalan Alor Setar-Kepala Batas, Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah, Jalan Kuala Kedah and the road leading to Yan.

The trees were planted in the 90s and are now between 20 and 25 years old.

February marks the beginning of the flowering season which lasts until early April.

A stretch of the canal in Jalan Stadium covered by a pink carpet of flowers.

This February, a hot spell caused the flowers to wither but by the end of March, the flowers bloomed again and now shutterbugs are roaming around Alor Setar in search of the best shots.

One of them was Sungai Petani online businessman Muhammad Akmal Amal, 23, who was accompanied by his mother Rusliza Hussin, 51, and sister Nur Atikah Mohamed Ariffin, 26.

Muhammad Akmal said they were in Alor Setar to visit family members.

“As we drove along Jalan Stadium, we saw many Tecoma trees in full bloom along the canal. We all love Tecoma flowers.”

Sales executive Mary Low, 30, from Sungai Petani, also could not resist taking pictures with colleagues Annie Wong and Michelle Woo.

Low posing under Tecoma blooms in Jalan Stadium.

“We are on a working trip to Alor Setar and missed the chance to take pictures earlier due to our busy schedules.

“So when we found the Tecoma trees blooming again, we were so happy, ” said Low.

Lori driver Muhammad Azuan Azahar, 33, from Kepala Batas, was seen admiring the blooms with wife Syazana Abd Rashid, 33, and their children Nur Aisyah Humaira, six, and Nur Arissa Amani, four, along with nephew

Izz Hafit Hakim Ezli Ehsanudin, eight, and niece Izzara Aryani Ezli Ehsanudin, six.

Flowering Tecoma trees in Jalan Langgar.

The children enjoyed themselves by catching flowers falling from the trees like snow along Lebuhraya Darulaman.

“We have been coming here every day after my appointments at the hospital, ” he said.

Businessman Mohamad Sayuti Wan Chik, 39, from Kepala Batas, daughter Iman Najwa, 11, and cousin Akhyar Ulya happily posed under a Tecoma tree at Titi Gajah.

(From right) Nur Aisyah Humaira, Izzara Aryani Ezli and Nur Arissa Amani picking up Tecoma flowers at a pedestrian bridge near the Alor Setar Hospital in Lebuhraya Darulaman.

“This year, the trees bloomed for a while and the flowers withered so quickly that we didn’t have time to record the beautiful moment.

“However, when we found out that the trees were flowering again, we quickly came, ” he said.

Loh Meow Choo, 60, thinks of the Tecoma trees as the Malaysian Sakura trees.

She brought her granddaughter Goh Chen Ning, eight, and grandson Goh Chen Hann, five, to her favourite spot near Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

“This the first time they are seeing the Tecoma flowers.”