Treehouse - Tembusu's Online Student Journal

Treehouse is home to a community of writers who are both curious and committed. We bring together individuals who are excited about exploring issues and ideas, both within and beyond Tembusu College. Through our writing, we seek to make meaning of our observations, experiences, and interests, and are dedicated to the purpose of deepening the landscape of thought in Tembusu College, by inspiring reflection and conversation among our readers.

The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.