A Forest of Giants
Dotting the landscape of Gardens by the Bay, the Supertrees are impossible to miss. There are 18 of these colossal structures in total, with twelve concentrated in the main Supertree Grove. Ranging in height from 25 to 50 metres, the tallest is equivalent
to a 16-storey building. These are not trees in the traditional sense, but towering vertical gardens. Each consists of a concrete core, a steel trunk, and a vast, umbrella-like canopy. By day, their immense canopies provide welcome shade from the tropical sun, mimicking the function of a real forest. But their true purpose goes far beyond simple aesthetics and comfort, representing Singapore's ambition to become a "City in a Garden."
The Brains Behind the Beauty
The Supertrees are marvels of environmental engineering, designed to mimic the ecological functions of real trees. Eleven of the structures are embedded with sustainable technologies. Photovoltaic cells on the canopies of seven Supertrees harvest solar energy, which is then used to power the nightly light shows. Others are integrated into the cooling systems of the park's massive climate-controlled conservatories, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, serving as air intake and exhaust receptacles. The canopies are also designed to collect rainwater, which is used for irrigation and in the park's water features, creating a self-sustaining cycle.
A Living, Breathing Skin
What truly brings the steel and concrete frames to life is their living skin. More than 162,900 plants from over 200 species are planted on the Supertrees' trunks. This intricate vertical garden includes a vast collection of bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and exotic tropical flowering climbers. The plants are carefully chosen for their ability to thrive in a soilless, vertical environment and withstand Singapore's climate, creating a lush, evolving facade that changes with the seasons. This fusion of the man-made and the natural creates a unique and biodiverse habitat in the heart of the city.
A Walk in the Treetops
To experience the Supertrees from a different perspective, visitors can take a stroll along the OCBC Skyway. This 128-metre-long aerial walkway connects two of the taller Supertrees, suspending you 22 metres above the ground. From this vantage point, you get breathtaking panoramic views of the entire garden, the surrounding Marina Bay skyline, and the intricate floral displays on the Supertree canopies. For the highest view of all, the Supertree Observatory sits atop the tallest 50-metre tree. Its open-air rooftop deck offers an unblocked 360-degree view of Singapore, while an indoor space one level below provides educational exhibits on climate change.
The Garden Rhapsody
As night falls, the Supertree Grove transforms into a dazzling spectacle of light and sound. Twice every evening, the grove comes alive with the Garden Rhapsody show. This free performance sees the trees illuminated in a symphony of colours, choreographed to a changing musical soundtrack that echoes through 68 independent speakers. The lights dance across the structures and canopies, creating an immersive and magical experience that has become a must-see for locals and tourists alike. Themes for the show change regularly, ranging from orchestral classics and film scores to festive holiday medleys.
