Our Meaningful Client
Naturally Formed. Expertly Crafted
Uncle Raintree
“Wood is time made visible, rings of growth, scars from storms, decades lived under the sun. When I work with reclaimed wood, I am continuing a conversation the tree began long before I arrived.”
Art of Suarwood · Singapore
Who is
Uncle Raintree
A Local Legend, A Natural Connection
My name is Ong Meng Hong, though many know me as Uncle Raintree. My path into woodworking was anything but conventional. Trained as a civil engineer, I spent years in a completely different field. Throughout that time, I found myself increasingly drawn to nature, craftsmanship, and the stories hidden within every piece of wood. What started as curiosity became a passion.
I was fascinated by the unique character of wood which are grain patterns, textures, knots, and natural edges no machine could replicate. Each piece seemed to carry decades of growth, weather, and time. That passion eventually grew into Art of Suar Wood: a venture dedicated to transforming reclaimed wood into bespoke furniture that celebrates both nature and craft.
Why
Uncle Raintree
The Rain Tree has always held a special place in my heart. As one of Singapore’s most iconic trees, its expansive canopy provides shade, shelter, and a gathering place for people from all walks of life that representing strength, resilience, and community.
Over the years, I watched many beautiful urban trees removed due to age, disease, or development. I often wondered if their story had to end there.
The name “Uncle Raintree” reflects my belief that these trees still have more to give. By reclaiming wood from fallen urban trees and transforming them into furniture, I hope to preserve part of their legacy and allowing them to continue serving people in a new form. What once stood proudly in Singapore can live on in the homes of those who value its story.
The Journey of Reclaimed Singapore Wood
In the early days, sourcing reclaimed wood was not easy. I spent countless hours reaching out to tree-cutting contractors across Singapore, hoping to rescue logs that would otherwise be discarded. Many people saw these logs as waste. I saw potential.
Over time, that effort became a community mission. Today, people across Singapore still reach out whenever they spot trees being removed in their neighbourhoods, a reminder that many Singaporeans believe these trees deserve a meaningful second life.
Preserving a Piece of Singapore’s Heritage
Singapore is known as a Garden City and increasingly, a City in Nature. The trees lining our roads, parks, and neighbourhoods are part of our identity, having witnessed the growth of our nation for generations.
Through Art of Suar Wood, we seek to preserve a small part of that heritage. Each piece we craft carries a story that is uniquely Singaporean, continuing to be appreciated in homes, offices, and community spaces long after the tree has fallen.
Beyond Furniture
Art of Suar Wood is about more than crafting tables and benches. It is about helping people reconnect with nature, appreciate reclaimed materials, and understand the value of giving existing resources a second life.
Through Wood U, we transform off-cuts from furniture production into smaller functional pieces (cheese boards, trays, bowls, vases, and home accessories), ensuring as much wood as possible is put to meaningful use. Every piece saved from waste is another opportunity to honour the tree from which it came.
What We Built for
Uncle Raintree
A Message from
Uncle Raintree
Every tree has a story. Some have stood for decades, quietly providing shade and shelter while witnessing the changing landscape around them. When their time in the ground comes to an end, I believe their story deserves to continue. My role is simply to help write the next chapter. Whether it becomes a dining table where families gather, a bench where conversations take place, or a handcrafted accessory used every day, each piece carries a small part of that tree’s legacy forward.
Thank you for being part of that journey and for helping us give Singapore’s trees a meaningful second life.
