We took a deep dive into the unique characteristics of six tree species located at Hole 18 of the Old Course, uncovering fascinating facts that many had never known. A total of 35 participants registered for the walk, which began with a short briefing at 8.15am in the banquet hall. The session highlighted interesting tree facts to observe along the way. Participants were also provided with nature walk bags to help them collect leaves, fruits, seeds, and sticks during the tour—items that sparked curiosity and made each station a hands-on experience.
1st Station: Terminalia calamansanai – The Kedah Tree
Our journey started at the Rotunda with the Kedah Tree, also known as Ketapang or by its lesser-known name, Mentalun. A surprising fact about this tree is its ability to emit both fragrant and foul smells once a year—from its flowers. This was first noted in Singapore when the tree began flowering around 2021, five years after it was planted in a condominium estate. The scent, compared by residents to cow dung, sweaty dogs, or gym socks, would appear during hot and humid days and linger for a few weeks annually. With the help of the National Parks Board in Singapore, it was discovered that the smell came from the flowers, Terminalia Calamansanai.
Participants enjoyed the humorous anecdotes about this tree. We also explored its wind-dispersed fruits, which have a rounded shape with a triangular seed at the center. These seeds are edible, both raw and cooked.
2nd Station: Pterocarpus indicus – Angsana Tree
Next, we walked approximately 100 meters to the Angsana, also called Narra, the national tree of the Philippines. Its name derives from Greek: ‘Ptero’ (wing) and ‘Karpus’ (fruit). Known for its wide canopy, the tree’s disc-shaped fruits were still immature and green, with mature pods expected to turn light brown and contain up to three seeds, about 10mm long. Participants were given the opportunity to see the fruit in the indehiscent pod hanging from the tree.
Angsana wood, also known as Amboyna Burl, is highly valued— scented, hard, and often reddish in color. Commonly used for carving and musical instruments, Angsana wood releases a sweet fragrance when worked on. The deeper the red hue of the wood, the heavier it tends to be.
We also discussed the rarer redflowering Narra variety, ‘Echinatus’, distinguished by its bristled one centimetre long pods.
3rd Station: Bertholletia excelsa – Brazil Nut Tree
The Brazil Nut Tree, found only at RSGC in Malaysia, is famous across Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. The flower, about 2–3 centimetres wide, had fallen to the ground. I brought along a fruit sample—the size of a baseball, weighing up to 5 pounds, with an extremely hard outer shell. It is cracked open only by agoutis, rodents with powerful teeth.
These nuts are rich in protein and oil, often used in natural beauty products. They can be eaten raw, and are as sweet as ice cream.
Unfortunately, Brazil nut trees rarely fruit outside their native Amazon habitat due to a highly specific pollination process involving green bees that are attracted to orchids. Agoutis also play a crucial role in seed dispersal—if they bury a seed and forget it, a new tree may grow. These trees can live up to 500 years.
4th Station: Sterculia foetida – Java Olive or Kelumpang Jari
As we moved on, we encountered the Java Olive Tree, also known as Kelumpang Jari. Its name comes from its finger-like leaflets (jari means “finger”). The olive-like seeds yield oil used for cooking, with a total oil content of about 34%. Each tree can produce up to 635 seeds per kilogram.
Its greenish-yellow flowers emit a foul odor, hence the Latin roots ‘Stercus’ (manure) and ‘Foetidus’ (stinking). Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Flowering begins in March–April, with fruit ripening after 11 months.
The tree has practical uses— used locally as doors of huts, dugout canoes and boat planking. The best of the tree produces a ‘gum tragacanth’, a sweet dessert ingredient in Vietnam. We watched a video back at the hall showing its preparation. This tree is also a haven for birds, though it’s vulnerable to pests like the Sylepta balteata moth, which causes up to 80 percent leaf damage in India.
5th Station: Acacia auriculiformis – Ear Leaf Tree
The Ear Leaf Tree is known for its ear-shaped pods (from Latin ‘auricula’ and ‘forma’), this species produces twisted, woody seedpods. The seeds are rarely found on the ground, as the pods hang and drop vertically. Participants collected some of these pods for closer observation.
Its bright yellow flowers bloom in pairs and are an important nectar source for honey bees. The timber is versatile – commonly used for kraft pulp, which are bags or wrapping paper, construction, and carving. A member of the Mimosoideae family, it shares traits with the sensitive plant, (Mimosa Pudica) and exhibits allelopathy—releasing natural compounds that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants.
6th Station: Dyera costulata – Jelutong Tree
Commonly known as the chewing gum tree, Dyera costulata—also known as Jelutong—is famed for its resin, once used as a base ingredient in chewing gum due to its neutral and consistent taste. The tree produces latex when wounded.
A 100-year-old Jelutong tree was once located at the site of Menara Kuala Lumpur. When construction of the tower began, the location was shifted, and soldier piles were installed in the area. At the time, the tree was valued at approximately RM 430 thousand —likely worth even more today.
During a nature walk, the fruit of the Jelutong was showcased. Found at Hole 14 of the Old Course, the 30 cm long paired fruits resemble a set of horns pointing upward. They ripen over three months, then split along one side to release large winged seeds. These seeds germinate within a few weeks, and seedlings were also observed during the walk.
The young shoots, also featured during the walk, resemble a shuttlecock with 6–8 leaves. Jelutong trees may also produce white flowers that bloom in the evening and fall within 12 hours.
Raising Matters
Upon returning to the hall, many questions were raised—most notably regarding the dead trees at Hole 17 on the Old Course, which have become a sanctuary area for herons. Members were informed that, for now, the trees will remain as they serve as a natural habitat for the birds. However, a final decision on their fate will be made later. Some members expressed concerns about the potential danger of leaving the dead trees standing.
It was explained that we cannot conclude the birds are responsible for killing the trees. The decay appears to be due to natural causes and could have been worsened by bacterial transmission in the soil. There are several decaying trees across our courses, and these are regularly monitored and assessed by our arborist for any risks.
Nevertheless, it remains our responsibility to maintain healthy trees and conduct regular Tree Risk Assessments to ensure safety and preserve the greenery of The Royal Selangor Golf Club. With this in mind, I have planned our next Nature Walk, scheduled for August 2025, during which we will further discuss Tree Risk Assessment with a Certified Arborist.
With love and appreciation, thank you for joining us! We hope you had a wonderful time and look forward to seeing you at our next walk.
