June 4th 2013 was World Environment Day and the Chiang Mai Mail reported that the Mayor had led students to plant the yellow Cassia fistula in the city’s parks.

So we went to Railway Park to see the result.

But first WARNING KILLER TREES. Running and playing in this park could end your life.

Dead & Dangerous Rain Trees

Dead & Dangerous Bombax

Thriving Native Trees beside the drain

As could falling in the polluted drain covered by green weed.

While in this negative theme please note the new high wall erected as if to contain Princess Sirindhorn who has a residence on the Irrigation Department site north of the park.

In the foreground, for the optimists, surviving trees from the community planting 3 years earlier, and the following pic shows an area recently cleared of debris.

And now to the planting.  The trees were not the Golden Shower, Cassia fistula but but even more Flame of the forest Butea monosperma. Further just as at CMU one species in straight line formation.

Apparently the obsession with red flowers continues as last year the exotic Pradoo Daeng was planted. Perhaps we need a new name so how about Parco Ernesto che Guevara?

New Princess Proof Fence

3 year old Native Trees and newly planted Flame Trees

Carribean tree in honor of che Guevara