Durian Tree, Bukit PanjangTeo Teah On, 66, carpenterMr Teo is a regular harvester in Bukit Panjang forest during the durian season, which happensapproximately every three months. Foraging at night, he goes deep inside the wilderness to look for olddurian trees left behind in a former kampung. For the past seven years, he has been returning to thistree as it produces the sweetest fruit.His friend Ng An Zhu dubs the same tree the “XO Tree” due to the flavour of the fruit. Both of thembelieve that this is one of the older durian trees in the Bukit Panjang kampung before it was evacuatedin the 1980s. There are two generations of durian trees, Mr Teo adds. The first being the original treesin the village, and the second being the new trees planted by residents to “earn” money from thegovernment – a resident can get up to $110 for a durian tree of 3 metres on his land as compensation.There are now around 100 younger trees scattered in the forest.As for durian picking now, there are certain informal rules or etiquette. No one can lay claim to a tree:the fruit goes to those who come first. However, it is common for people to wait in two-hour slots undera tree. Some also wear safety helmets as they fear being injured by falling fruit.One line at the back of postcard :No.9“XO” Durian Tree, Bukit Panjang
