Accumulation of leaf needles at tree base and other updates

The below would be an update for this post on de-compacting a tree base:
http://openplants.blogspot.sg/2017/05/accumulation-of-years-of-leaves-and.html

Photos taken on 14 Feb 2018.

The tree that I de-compacted the tree base still looked lush as ever, but the tree beside it actually looked worst; the leaf density decreased.

The tree base that I de-compacted (left) is starting to compact again but still appeared flatter than the one on the right.

River bank failure possibly due to high velocity water. Self-sown plants were valiently holding on to the slope face but alas, it was too steep (or the water eroded away the soil it was rooted in).

Location marked with red arrow.

Lastly, one of the last few pages of the book "Trees of Our Garden City, 2nd ed" feature the iconic (at least to me) arching Callistemon viminalis, between the Chinese Garden MRT station and Garden. It was removed I think in 2016 to make way for a cookie-cutter landscaping at the peripheral of the MRT station.

Taken on 22 Sep 2014.

Taken on 14 Feb 2018.