The 100 Year Old Bodhi Tree Photography Exhibition
Presented by : Patrick Leong Yew Weng
6th – 14th Jan 2007
11am – 7pm
Ngee Ann Cultural Centre
Ngee Ann Exhibition Hall
97 Tank Road Singapore

Mr. Leong Yew Weng is a well-known professional photographic artist in Singapore. The photography exhibition shows practically all aspects of the large Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa, a native of Central & East India) growing within the precincts of the Jinlong Temple at Lorong How Sun, off Bartley Road and it is likely to be the largest and oldest tree of its kind in Singapore. It has been estimated that the tree, with a girth of 8.5 m, and a height of some 30 m, is about 100 years old. According to record, the tree was already a fairly big one growing there, when the Temple was built near to it at the beginning of the Second World War.

The photos have depicted some of the most interesting aspects of any tree one can think of, and, the artist has in fact produced a pictorial album covering the autecology of this unusual tree, ranging from its morphology, through its phenology, to its reproductive characteristics. Stature of the entire tree with its full crown, the very unusual fluted trunk, vigorous epicormic shoots, colourful young leaves, wintering foliage, young figs, maturing figs, tiny seeds and a young sapling, can all be found in the magnificent display of the colourful photographs. Any naturalist, wanting to know about the botany of this particular species of Fig Tree, can look through this album and get practically all the information he wants.

The natural hollows and depressions in the trunk of the tree can also provide niches for small animals. The photos show a little toad enjoying resting in such a niche, and a group of bees nesting in a depression of the trunk.

Follow his journey to discover the wonders of the 100 year old Bodhi Tree. The works are for sale and all the proceeds will be donated to charity.

Photography by Patrick Leong Yew Weng. All Rights Reserved.