Damar Hitam Gajah

Native to Singapore. Shorea gibbosa is a large emergent with greyish-brown bole and large and sharp buttresses. The bark is closely fissured when young, becoming scaly when older. It has white flowers with a tinge of pink, about 1 cm wide. The fruits are winged. The three outer wings (~ 1 cm) are slightly hairy. Shorea gibbosa produces dammar (resin) which is black. Locally, this is the only species of Shorea that belongs to the damar hitam (black) group of Shorea.

This Tree is probably one of the last few of this species standing in Singapore. These magnificent trees belonging to the Dipterocarp family can grow to a height of more than 70 m. It produces commercially valuable timber and is popular with loggers because it is relatively free from defects and works well and cleanly with power and hand tools. This Heritage Tree was seen flowering in August 2013. No fruit setting was observed later.

Unique ID for Heritage Tree

HT 2003-113

Location

Found in Changi, Netheravon Road near Bus Stop B06

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Heritage Tree Information

Scientific name: Shorea gibbosa
Common name: Damar Hitam Gajah
Girth: 4.77 m @ 1.3 m height
Height: 35.2 m