Take Botanic Gardens MRT (DT9/CC19) to Exit A for Bukit Timah Gate. For a short Heritage Tree walk, use the NParks map to look for the Giant Sterculia in the EcoGarden and the Leichhardt Tree in the Foliage Garden. NParks lists both in its north-side Heritage Trees guide.
Pick one tree if you have limited time. Use the garden name and tree label to confirm what you are looking at, then compare a feature such as trunk shape, leaves or canopy. The two stops give children a reason to look closely without trying to cover the whole Gardens.
- Start: Botanic Gardens MRT Exit A, Bukit Timah Gate.
- EcoGarden: Giant Sterculia (Sterculia foetida).
- Foliage Garden: Leichhardt Tree (Nauclea orientalis).
- Before going: Check the official map and individual garden hours.
Look for the Giant Sterculia at EcoGarden
Start with the official map and use EcoGarden as the first landmark. NParks lists Giant Sterculia at the EcoGarden. Confirm the tree with its label or the Heritage Tree trail guide before using it for an activity.
Observe from the public path. Ask children what they notice about how the trunk supports the canopy. Give them time to describe the outline or sketch it. The aim is to identify a visible feature before reading about the tree.
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Compare it with the Leichhardt Tree
NParks places the Leichhardt Tree in the Foliage Garden. Its visitor page lists Foliage Garden hours from 7 am to 7 pm. Check notices and use the signed approach from the map.
At the second tree, compare the same feature you chose at the first. If you looked at the trunk, notice how the outline changes here. If you looked at the canopy, ask where the shade falls. An older child can write a comparison using a visible detail from each tree.
Leave foliage and fallen material in place. Use the names on the labels and compare only what you can see clearly. If a path is busy, move to a place where the group can pause without blocking others.
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Decide whether to add another stop
The Heritage Tree list also identifies Nutmeg behind the Garage Building and Ketapang in the Ethnobotany Garden. Choose one only if it fits your route and available time. The tree guide and map are more useful than trying to find every specimen in one visit.
For a short trip, return through Bukit Timah Gate after the first or second tree. Tell anyone joining later which garden and gate you are using. If the first stop is unavailable, choose another listed specimen nearby and keep the same observation question.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Giant Sterculia?
NParks lists it in the EcoGarden.
Where is the Leichhardt Tree?
NParks lists it in the Foliage Garden.
Which entrance should I use?
Use Bukit Timah Gate via Botanic Gardens MRT Exit A.
Where can I find more Heritage Trees?
Use NParks’ Heritage Trees and Landscapes guide and the current Gardens map.