The Syzygium campanulatum or Kelat Paya is commonly found in many cities in Malaysia mainly for landscaping purposes. It has orange to reddish young leaves that would give the tree an appealing look after every 'haircut'. Dotting most road dividers, making up most of today's hedges and even appearing in parks, it has become, in my opinion, too pervasive. It has also found its way into Tanarimba.
Although a native specie, it naturally grows in the flat lowlands near freshwater swamps - hence its local name - Kelat Paya. So being in the hilly terrain of Tanarimba is not quite homecoming for the Kelat Paya. Nevertheless, it does prove to be an effective screen if you want privacy. However, I would not recommend it as the dominant tree in your garden in Tanarimba. Further it doesn't have fruits that would attract birds or other wildlife.
More suited for Tanarimba's look, since we are in a logged-over forest would be something like a Dipterocarp. The largest genus of the Dipterocarps would be the Shoreas. Here's a handsome specimen found in the hilly terrain of Tanarimba- the Shorea curtisii or Seraya (below). From afar it's cabbage like crown of pale bluish green would stand out from the thick evergreen of the rainforest.
Ed note - Reference were made to Corner and Symington's Manual of Dipterocarps. Plenty of help from friends - Surin, Reza, Dylan, Balu and Prof Wong.
Please consider the following locations for more information on trees, conservation and the like:-
www. wildasia.net, Rimba Ilmu at University Malaya and WWF Malaysia.
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