It
is home of insects and reptiles, foothold of orchids, ferns and lianas,
abode of birds that celebrate life with their young and beautiful
songs.
Dr Abe V Rotor
Dita (Alstonia scholaris) the biggest member of the Apocynaceae family stands overlooking the sprawling UST campus and its environs,
Older
than most structures except the main building, it rises with the tower
cross, sharing the lofty height from afar, on the front and back.
Scarred
by war and by fire it is a veteran of events in history, witness to the
university's many activities and celebrations, .
While
graduates pass through the Arch of the Centuries, this tree stands firm
and proud; it is a sentry, a guardian, and a symbol, too.
Its
crown is the biggest umbrella on the campus, filtering the sun, the
dust and rain; it captures carbon and gives off oxygen in turn.
It
captures the fog into morning mist, and makes a rainbow with the
showers, and cushions the sun set into gentle breeze and subdued gray.
It does not respond to autumn even if other trees lose their leaves and gain a new crown; instead it retains its canopy green.
It
is home of insects and reptiles, foothold of orchids, ferns and lianas,
abode of birds that celebrate life with their young and beautiful
songs.
And
when it is winter in cold countries, it is time for its pods to mature,
popping out myriads of tiny lints like parachutes that float in the
air.
And
children run after them like snowflakes, and wish like wishing upon a
star - and strangely lints daintily fall into their palms.
The
dita wakes up earlier than anyone else on the campus, sings with
the carillon, and joins the whispers and laughter on the campus.
The
day ends just like any day, the campus sleeps - and there stands
a silhouette that reminds us, "Only God can make a tree." ~
