This could be just another feel-good story, but saving a big tree in the heart of the city is more than just about depriving residents of some shade.

Broad-leaved trees act as a natural canopy that not only beautify our neighbourhood, but also lower the temperature in the city, said, Siri Siributr, a long-time resident of Sukhumvit Soi 28.

He won't let anyone cut down the pink trumpet trees planted on Sukhumvit Soi 28 by his late wife over 20 years ago, which have grown out of her ashes.

"They remind me of my [late] wife," said the 83-year-old. Before his wife passed away last year, she had asked him to scatter her ashes over the trees.

The trees that line the soi not only offer a splash of colour they also provide relief from the heat and humidity of the city.

However, the calm and joy of this area was shattered after a condominium project developer approached residents on the soi to ask them if a tree could be felled in order to pave an entrance to a new highrise block.

Located in Klong Toey district, Soi Sukhumvit 28 or Bannasan, was once owned by two aristocratic families, Svasti and Singhaseni, who bought the whole plot of land when the area wasn't considered part of the city centre about 70 years ago. They loved trees and planted them in their compounds. At one point, some of the plots were sold to other family members and a strip was donated to the public, which is Soi 28.

Two years after the latest condominium construction project was launched in Sukhumvit Soi 28, Ms Saranarat only learned of the developer's wish to cut down a pink trumpet tree about two weeks ago. photos by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin

Cutting down trees is a bad idea, said Saranarat Kanjanavanit, Mr Siri's niece.

She has urged the developer to be more considerate toward society and plant more trees in the neighbourhood to make the place more appealing.

Ms Saranarat has been assigned by the family and residents living in the soi to talk with the project developer about the trees. Trees in urban areas can help reduce the urban heat island effect by offering shade and releasing water vapour into the air. The phenomenon occurs when temperatures in cities are elevated due to urban development.

She blames tall buildings in the city for adding to the pollution and climate change in Bangkok.

"The trees need to be protected. They should not be cut down," she said.

Two years after the latest condominium construction project was launched in the soi, Ms Saranarat learned of the developer's wish to cut down a pink trumpet tree only about two weeks ago.

Residents say the developer does not have the authority to chop the tree down, as the pavement isn't part of the developer's land.

Not taking no for an answer, the developer then sought Klong Toey district chief's permission to remove the tree. But the developer was told to discuss it with the residents to see if they would agree to a compromise.

"We were at first perplexed by the developer's contradictory behaviour," she said. The removal of the tree was not part of the project's original design plan.

The change to the plan emerged as work was being carried out by the developer, who realised it would be difficult to build an entrance to the building with the tree in the way.

Ms Saranarat blamed the developer's predicament on the poor original design of the building. She said the developer had not taken into consideration the condo's surroundings and the natural environment in which it would sit.

Initially, her family considered relocating the tree but this was discounted after the family became aware the roots would be damaged by the relocation process.

But after a few discussions, Ms Saranarat managed to convinced the developer not to cut the tree down and to respect the surroundings by redesigning the entrance.

She explained to the developer that fewer trees in the city meant higher temperatures.

And if anything, she said, the existence of the tree would make people more safety conscious when approaching the entrance to the building, she added.

The green space in the soi is home to several species of birds including the Coppersmith Barbet, Oriole, Plaintive Cuckoo, Paradise Flycatcher and Sunbird.

It provides a habitat for migratory birds. Some people walk their dogs in the area because a public park does not allow them to do so.

"Cutting down trees does not only damage environmental value, but also sentimental value," she said.

Ms Saranarat appreciated the developer's effort to discuss the issue with the residents, without going ahead and cutting down the tree, and their newfound understanding to keep the tree.

The pink trumpet tree case on Soi 28 eventually had a happy ending, and has encouraged Oraya Sutabutr, from the Big Trees Project, an environment advocacy group, to call on the government to protect, preserve and increase the number of trees in urban areas, citing their environmental value.