AT A GLANCE there is nothing special with the suko tree that stands not far from the Kali Lo River which is on the side of Jalan dr. The Soetomo. The right and left of the tree which is considered a sacred tree by Hindus is already filled with uruk soil and used goods, so that the appearance of the tree looks shabby.
But, it turns out that there is something stored in the tree that has that orange flower. The suko tree or soka alias asoka is considered a historic tree that has lived since the time of the Blambangan Kingdom, 13th century to be exact.
That's what makes some people who are descendants of the tree owner maintain the tree's existence. Titis Malakin, one of them. The woman who claims to be the eighth generation of Raden Mas Patih Singo Gringsing said that in mid-January there were people who wanted to cut the suko tree..
They claim that they were ordered by the land owner and ordered to cut the tree. The man met Titis's father, namely Ki Slamet Prawoto, to ask for blessing so that the cutting goes smoothly. "I was surprised that suddenly someone asked Mr. permission to cut the Suko flower tree. You don't want either. After that, my sister and I came to the Tourism Office asking to be reviewed whether the tree deserves to be preserved as a cultural heritage,Said Titis.
Before discussing the development of the suko tree problem, Titis told the origin of the tree growing. Used to be his great-grandfather, Raden Mas Patih Singo Gringsing, who was one of the warlords in the era of the Blambangan Kingdom who found the tree.
The area around the tree was used as a location by Patih Singo Gringsing to gather with his troops when negotiating how to withstand the Majapahit attack.. as time goes by, the tree continues to be used by their ancestors to gather from generation to generation.
Even, according to him, every generation always bequeaths to the generations below it in order to protect the tree. "The ancestral word of this tree is used for the paseban place.". A place to gather so that the family does not fall apart. We are told to do activities near here. I've always played here since I was little. We eat it. Yesterday, fortunately, there was Mr. Noval who also held back so that this tree was not cut,”The story of Titis.
Titis's younger brother, Moh. Mask, added that in the 70s there was mass land certification in the Karang Baru environment, Panderejo Village. The entire family land around the tree was immediately certified, except the ground around the suko tree. Because, at that time the family considered the land around the tree to belong to all family members.
"That's why we were surprised when someone asked permission to cut a tree. Because from the start it was not certified, so we are confused who is selling who. There used to be a lot of people who wanted to try to cut down, but only one branch is broken, the person is dead, eat no one dares,said Maskur.
Armed with his knowledge of the age of the suko tree and the information of his parents, the land around the tree is not certified. Mask with her sister, Titis, finally reported the existence of the tree to the Banyuwangi Disbudpar. hope, the tree is considered a historic tree so it is not cut and left alive in such a way.
“Our family doesn't want to own the land. It was far from our expectations, but we ask that the tree be preserved and preserved. We are ready to mediate with people who claim to own the land,'' he said. The big family of Maskur, who is part of the Singo Gringsing Flower Association, also has the same hope that the big tree will be allowed to live..
Ki Slamet Prawoto, the seventh descendant RM. Patih Singo Gringsing, who was also present when Jawa Pos Radar Banyuwangi visited the tree which was claimed to be hundreds of years old, said that in the past the tree was always used by residents as a center of activity.
Such as salvation or inter-citizen discussion activities. Under the tree, there used to be a stone the size of a drum wrapped around the roots of a tree that was usually used by residents to sit. The stone is now secured by a family member so that it does not get damaged.
"Later, when this tree has been taken over by the government", I just put the stone here again. This tree can be used as a historical location,said the man 80 that year. Head of Culture, Banyuwangi Culture and Tourism Office, Choliqul Ridha, said the tree had been inspected and there was a possibility that it would fall into the category of perch, which is a sign that is usually made by the people of the Blambangan Kingdom era as a marker of an area.
“There are some supporting signs, such as old yellow bamboo and a stone the size of a drum that shows that the tree is perched,“kata Ridha. Seeing the position of the tree not far from historical complexes, like english, Post office, and city park, Rida estimates that the tree was not a random tree.
Therefore, Disbudpar Banyuwangi will try to protect the tree and possibly maintain it by building a Green Open Space (RTH) around the tree. “Trees like this deserve protection. For comparison, it's like the banyan tree in the Yogyakarta Palace. The two trees are also protected because they are considered historic and part of the cultural heritage," he concluded. (radar)