Robert Zhao Renhui
A Guide to Tree Planting
2014
12min35sec
Single channel video

It was in 2014 when I started making this video. In Singapore I often see trees disappearing suddenly (then cut down) and then appearing somewhere again. They transport and move big trees from one place to another when the tree is in the way of construction. So I imagine that we can build trees like magic. I reverse the video of a tree being cut down so it looks like we are building a tree. In Singapore we want things to be very fast and efficient, even for nature. I wished I shoot the video differently. I want to shoot the tree again but it’s not possible.
I hope I could finish it someday, now I am waiting for a right tree.

Robert Zhao Renhui
www.landarchive.org
www.criticalzoologists.org


A GUIDE TO TREE PLANTING

In Singapore, trees can be brought back to their usual adult sizes instantaneously.

TREES WHEN YOU NEED THEM

Unless one has a very large garden, trees for planting near a house should be carefully selected to avoid those which will grow too big for the space available. The Rain Tree, Tembusus, various species of Figs and Albizzia are not recommended for small gardens. It is usual to have trees of a compact, neat appearance in a garden, and preferably those species with showy flowers. The most popular trees are various Cassias, Lagerstroemia, Bauhinia, Tabebuia, some Palms and Gymosperms.
A Guide to Tree Planting