MONUMENTO: ALBIZIA LEBBEKOIDES

ALBIZIA LEBBEKOIDES - Jardim Botânico de Singapura - 2016

Em Floração: Camelia japonica

ÁRVORES EM JAVA: ayem, ayom...

Segundo a tradição da ilha de Java na Indonésia, as árvores são plantadas não apenas para sombra - mas também porque significam 'ayem' e 'ayom', isto é paz e protecção.

Foto: Ceiba pentandra, Jardim Botânico de Bogor, Java, Indonésia

Jardim Botânico de Bogor na Ilha de Java

Kebun Raya Bogor: Jardim Botânico de Bogor

O histórico Jardim Botânico de Bogor, na Ilha de Java, Indonésia: www.bogorbotanicgardens.org/

"A origem dos jardins nas civilizações do Livro"

A Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, na sequência do ciclo de conversas sobre "A origem dos jardins nas civilizações do Livro", vai organizar, aos sábados, o ciclo " A origem do jardim - mito ou realidade", com o preço de 5€ por sessão de cerca de 90 minutos, para maiores de 16 anos. O ponto de encontro será no hall da Fundação. 

Datas: 

    

4 Out. 2014 - sáb. -  17:30 - O jardim nas culturas ameríndias  

18 Out - 16:45 - O jardim nas culturas orientais  

8 Nov. - 16:45 - O jardim nas culturas africanas   

Foto:  Sri Lanka, Jardim Botânico de Kandy

«No healthy city is complete without trees»

BANGKOK: battle to save the 'big trees'
No healthy city is complete without trees. Planting lots of large trees in urban areas can benefit not only the environment but also the people. That was the main reason behind the launch of the “Urban Tree Care” project.
 

A collaboration between Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of architecture, Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, PTT Plc and Big Trees Project Group, Urban Tree Care is designed to educate urbanites about the knowledge and skills needed to take care of big trees in their urban areas.
 

The first course, which started yesterday, was pitched at managers and high-ranking officials whose work relates to big trees in the city, with the aim of enhancing the beauty of the cityscape.  After campaigning to raise public awareness about the priceless value of big trees in the city for the past four years, Oraya Sutabutr, from Big Trees Project Group, said the group has received many complaints about tree felling in many areas.
 

Trees are also cut down to a smaller size instead of being trimmed, while others that are decades-old are felled completely for business purposes, she said.  “The complaints reflect the fact that city dwellers are now more active in tree conservation. That encouraged us to work together to come up with a project that can give them knowledge and important skills to take care of big trees in the city,” Ms Oraya said, adding that the skills people learn from the training can even lead to a new occupation such as arborist, which is new to Thai people.
 

After lengthy discussions, a plan was formed. Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of architecture would be responsible for developing a training programme; Big Trees Project Group would coordinate the parties concerned; Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry would provide the room for the training programme, while PTT Plc agreed to be the sponsor.
 

Topics of discussion in the programme include the life of big trees, the unique characteristics and benefits of urban forestry; basic tools for gardening and tree maintenance; possible dangers posed by big trees as well as how to handle dead trees. Course attendees also learn how to trim branches and deal with root problems, how to maintain big trees on a construction site, how to assess the value of trees and manage tree maintenance.
 

The programme typically takes 150 hours and includes coursework and a workshop.  A field trip is also an important requirement to complete the programme. Taradon Tunduan, an experienced arborist and guest speaker for the programme, said there are two main problems with big trees in urban environments — the tree itself and the effects of the tree on the city’s environment.  He has been working with big city trees for many years. Mr Taradon said Thais lack knowledge of big trees. There are only a few people working in this field. “Many don’t realise that some trees are sick and need special care,” he said.  He cited the failure to recognise the importance of big trees in the city. When a big tree branches out and gets entangled in electrical wires, the first choice is to keep the wires and cut the tree.
 

Often they are cut short rather than being trimmed, he added. Trimming a tree makes it pleasing to the eye while helping to reduce possible dangers.  However, some trees can be too big and may cause structural damage when dried branches fall on houses, cars and roads during a heavy storm, he warned.  Mr Taradon, who has more than two decades of experience, said officers at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Treasury Department and staff at real estate companies don’t fully understand the concept of “big trees in the city”.
 

“When the idea is mentioned, most of them think of small trees and bushes in a garden,” he said.  Singapore is widely recognised for its green space, with a large number of big trees in the urban environment. Mr Taradon said the Singapore government realises the importance of big trees in the city to make it a sustainable green city.  Big trees need very good care when they are first planted. They have big roots that can store a quantity of water. They may need occasional care and maintenance when they branch out and threaten structural damage to properties.
 

Garden trees and ornamental plants are hugely popular in Thailand and they tend to get daily care — watering and trimming. When they are not well taken care of, they dry out and die. “The planting of big trees was a good move for Singapore to achieve the goal of becoming a sustainable green city,” Mr Taradon said, adding that Thailand needs to take the green city concept very seriously before it’s too late.  In his view, individuals whose houses have big trees should have priority to acquire knowledge and skills in big tree maintenance. “I’ve learned many families sell their houses which have big trees to real estate companies which want to develop a condominium — and the trees that have been kept for decades are cut down. That’s very regrettable,” Mr Taradon said.
 

Somneuk Janthanaporn, a Khlongsan district officer and who is attending the training programme, said staff at all Bangkok district offices who are responsible for the cutting down of trees are required to undergo training concerning tree maintenance.  However, the knowledge and skills they learn are not applied because of work overload.  “Every day we have to work with hundreds of trees, particularly those that branch out and get entangled with wires, as we need to protect people from fires that might occur. You can imagine how much work we handle. If we have to do every step of the job, we are not able to get our tasks done in time,” Mr Somneuk said.  Ms Oraya said Big Trees Project Group is using Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry for the next operative training programme. “One important thing that we want to see is executives of the BMA and other government officers responsible for maintenance of trees getting the chance to take part in governmental policy covering the green city project,” she said.
 

The programme began on Tuesday with a lecture on “The life of a big tree”, delivered by national artist emeritus Prof Decha Boonkham, who has frequently castigates the BMA and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority for cutting down trees.  The first programme kicked off yesterday and runs to June 11. It is limited to 15 people and the fee is 3,000 baht.
 

in Bangkok Post, 10/05/2014 Supoj Wancharoen

http://m.bangkokpost.com/latestnews/409027

Candidatura do Jardim Botânico de Singapura a Património Mundial da Humanidade - Unesco

O Jardim Botânico de Singapura é oficialmente candidato à lista do Património Mundial da Humanidade. Em Junho de 2012, Singapura ratificou a Convenção do Património Mundial e em Dezembro do mesmo ano entregou à UNESCO a lista tentativa manifestando interesse na inscricção do Jardim Botânico de Singapura como Património Mundial da Humanidade. No dia 11 de Setembro de 2013 foi aberta a consulta pública por um período de 4 meses com o objectivo de receber contributos dos cidadãos para a elaboração do documento final que inclui um Plano de Salvaguarda/Gestão do monumento. O dossier final de candidatura já foi entretanto entregue à UNESCO. O dossier de candidatura e Plano de Gestão estão disponíveis para consulta aqui:

http://www.sbg.org.sg/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=886:singapore’s-first-unesco-world-heritage-site-nomination-draft&Itemid=352

Plantar árvores: Hô Chí Minh

«Para o bem da próxima década, plantar árvores. Para o bem do próximo século, educar crianças.»

 

Hô Chí Minh (1890-1969)

 

Foto: cartaz de propaganda política do Vietname (2010)

Plantas que não temos no nosso Jardim Botânico: TAMARINDUS INDICA

O nosso Jardim Botânico não tem nas suas colecções vivas um exemplar desta importante árvore, vulgarmente conhecida pelo seu fruto/vagem tão presente na culinária e medicina tradicional da Ásia e África. Esta planta extraordinária, nativa da África e Ásia tropical, só a poderiamos ter se já houvesse uma nova Estufa de Exibição, pensada e projectada para exposição de plantas que não podem sobreviver ao ar livre em Lisboa. Várias estufas de Jardins Botânicos da Europa, como no Kew Botanic Garden de Londres, têm esta planta.

EM FLORAÇÃO: Dendrobenthamia capitata

Para ver no Arboreto, perto do Portão da Praça da Alegria. Origem: Himalaias oriental

Jardim Botânico de Hong Kong II

Cinnamomum camphora

Podocarpus neriifolius

Jardim Botânico de Honk Kong I

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak with a highest point of 100 metres and a lowest point of 62 metres above sea level. HKZBG, occupies an area of 5.6 hectares was founded in 1871 as a Botanic Garden and renamed in 1975 as Botanical and Zoological Gardens to reflect the increased commitments to zoological exhibits. Construction works of the Garden started in 1860 and the first stage was opened to the public in 1864.

Mr. Charles Ford was the first Superintendent of Gardens, appointed in 1871. Having served as a temporary Government House from 1841 to 1842, the Garden was still called "Bing Tau Fa Yuen" by the Chinese. Bounded by Garden Road, Robinson Road, Glenealy and Upper Albert Road, the Garden was divided into two parts by Albany Road, but linked by a subway. The eastern part of the Garden is known as the Old Garden where a Children's Playground, Aviaries, Green House and a Fountain Terrace Garden are found. The New Garden in the west is mainly the home of mammals and reptiles

PLANTS

There are more than 1,000 species in the Garden planted in such a way as to achieve natural beauty. Most of them are indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical regions.

Although small, the botanical collection includes members of the major plant groups such as Conifer, Fig, Palm, Gum Trees, Magnolia, Camellia, Azalea, Philodendron of exotic origin as well as the native flora. The Dawn Red-wood, the local Ailanthus, Crapnell's Camellia, Grantham's Camellia and Yellow Camellia provide rarity. The Norfolk Island Pine, Travellers-tree, Royal Palm, Asoka Tree, Forest Grey Gum and the Elephant Apple provide distinctive features in form, leaf-shape, bark and fruit. The Garden is frequently filled with the fragrance of Roses, Mock Lime, Orange-jessamine, Kwai-fah, Chinese Privet and the White Jade Orchid Tree. Conspicuous flowers are produced throughout the seasons by Hong Kong Orchid Tree, Camel's Foot Tree, Coral Tree, Stiff Bottle-brush, Spider Tree, Wormia, Candlenut Tree and Kassod Tree in sequence; while autumn foliage is displayed by the Sweet Gum and Bald Cypress. Visitors can see all these trees identified with labels as they walk along the footpaths.

A Herb Garden is located in the southern corner of the Garden and the shrub collection is mainly centralised at the Fountain Terrace Garden where a regular display of colourful blooms is maintained.

A Greenhouse standing at the eastern boundary houses over 150 native and exotic species including orchids, ferns, bromeliads, climbers and house plants etc.

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkzbg/en/index.php

Palmeiras que não temos no nosso Jardim: OREODOXA REGIA

O Nosso Jardim Botânico não tem nas suas colecções vivas um exemplar desta magnifica palmeira, vulgarmente conhecida como «Royal Palm». Esta, assim como tantas outras plantas extraordinárias dos trópicos, só a poderiamos ter se já houvesse uma nova estufa, pensada e projectada para exposição de plantas que não podem sobreviver ao ar livre em Lisboa/Portugal. O exemplar na imagem foi fotografado numa ilha da Malásia. 

Cidadãos de Banguecoque em defesa das grandes árvores: «BIG TREES»

A mensagem destes cidadãos de Banguecoque é muito simples: «You are what you breathe». Há cerca de 2 anos um grupo formado por professores universitários e jovens licenciados juntaram forças em resposta à onda de destruição de árvores e jardins privados promovida por empresas do ramo imobiliário. O grupo chama atenção para o património arbóreo urbano, organizando, por exemplo, visitas guiadas por toda a cidade de Banguecoque para ver árvores e jardins  ameaçados de desaparecimento. O grupo tem actualmente já mais de 16000 membros mas continua a crescer o apoio. O último projecto do grupo: salvar entre 100 a 200 árvores em Sukhumvit 35, um dos últimos oásis de vegetação no centro de Banguecoque. 

http://www.facebook.com/BIGTreesProject

MONUMENTO: FICUS BENJAMINA L.

A bela copa da Ficus benjamina L. no Arboreto, junto ao viveiro e vizinha da majestosa Chorisia. Esta árvore é originária da Ásia (Vietname, Timor, Indonésia, Filipinas). Família: Moraceae.

Em Floração: Nerium Indicum Mill

Em floração na Classe do Jardim Botânico.