The rare Jelutong tree beside the tower is said to be more than 100 years old. In fact, it was said to be over 100 years old when the building of Kuala Lumpur Tower commenced in 1991, thus making this impressive tree at least 130 years old today.
Old and new - Jelutong and Kuala Lumpur Tower.
(Source: Barnyard Dawg, 2018)
This particular Jelutong tree is situated right next to the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve that keeps trees as old, but it is extra unique because of its visibility and the efforts put in to conserve it. To achieve this, the location of the tower was shifted and a series of soldier piles were installed to protect it during the foundation's excavation period and to prevent the tree from falling over. The conservation of the tree via perceptive planning and cautious construction methods, incurred an additional cost of RM430,000 (about 90,000 Euro or 100,000 USD). This investment has ensured that this natural rarity will survive and that it will be enjoyed by many future generations.
The Jelutong (Dyera costulata) is a rare threatened species in many areas. However, due to its quick growth, hardy nature as well as strong replanting efforts, its extinction seems highly unlikely. As it happens, the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve includes the Jelutong Trail where more examples of this species can be found. It is a protected species in Malaysia.
Interesting fact: At times the Jelutong produces white latex used for making chewing gum, and the drops of exudate can be an interesting sight for city dwellers.