The Black Ebony Tree

Here is the tree which is described in a perfect manner by its name. The generic name is derived from greek word dios which means ‘divine’, and pyros meaning ‘fruit’, referring to the excellent fruit of the genus. The specific name melanoxylon means ‘dark wood’. The Tendu (Diospyros Melanoxylon/टेंभूर्णी, टेमरू, तेंदू) is medium-sized handsome tree, which is also known as Black Ebony. Its small flowers appear from April to June on new shoots.

Tendu, though a minor forest produce (MFP) in Central India, is very underutilized tree. The most economically significant use of this species is that its leaves are used to roll bidis (an indigenous traditional cigarette, which uses the kendu leaf for rolling instead of paper). The leaves possess unrivalled qualities of flavour, colour, flexible and leathery texture, decay resistance and easy workability, which make them admirably suitable for wrapping bidis.

However, most of the harvest goes waste as the fruit has never been explored for its nutritional aspects. This lesser known fruit is edible & is delicious too! Once fully ripen, the yellow pulp is soft & has a pleasant and sweet taste.

Tendu is a seasonal fruit available mainly in summer. The fruit ripening takes almost a year. These edible fruits are largely eaten & disseminated by birds, notably hornbills. The tree produces good seed in alternate years. The fruits and powdered seeds are sold in local markets and eaten. 

The tree is deciduous or evergreen depending on its habitat. In a dry locality, it is leafless for a short time in the hot weather, regaining its leaves in May-June. In a moist locality, it is evergreen. Though the tree has small flowers, the tree is regularly visited by insects and butterflies. It is the larval host plant for the Symphaedra nais & Spindasis vulcanus butterflies.

The tree has been revered in Ayurvedic medicine. The seeds have been prescribed as a cure for mental disorders, nervous breakdowns and palpitations of the heart. The fruits have a cooling and an astringent effect. Dried flowers are reportedly useful in urinary, skin and blood diseases. The bark is astringent; its decoction is used in diarrhoea. Its regeneration is through seeds, cuttings and root suckers. Soaking seeds for about 12 hours in cold water improves germination. Stump planting has been found to be as good as direct seeding. 

Tendu is the most widely distributed and tolerant species when considered to soil requirements. It grows on poor denuded soils, hot and dry hill slopes, stony soils and also heavy clays. It demands light; it is drought and frost hardy but sensitive to water-logging. It is coppiceable & tolerance to pruning makes it a good fodder tree. The tree also pollards well, although the growth of the pollard shoots is slow. Its cultivation on field boundaries or distributed in field crops, such as oilseed and cereal crops, appears to be a feasible and attractive proposition. Its deep tap-rooting habit would minimize competition with annual crops. It gives good quality charcoal. 

The fruit tree being rich in nutritional, medicinal and processing qualities can play a very significant & vital role in the livelihood security of the rural communities through enhanced household income, employment generation and environmental protection. Tendu fruits have a great potential for commercial cultivation. In fact, plantation of Tendu tree along with other local fruits of our region like Ber, should be done in city gardens and residential areas.

The Grewias

The tree is known for a refreshing drink prepared from the fruits, commonly known as Phalsa Sherbet or squash, is considered a delicacy throughout the hot summer months in India. The Phalsa tree (Grewia Asiatica/फालसा) is a small-to-moderate sized deciduous tree.

Phalsa is a beautiful tree with small orange-yellow flowers, borne in densely crowded axillary cymes. The ripe fruits are eaten as a dessert. Their taste and flavor are very much liked. Due to fruits, the tree is often found pollarded to keep its branches low and within reach.

According to Ayurveda, different parts of this plant possess different pharmacological properties. Leaves have antimicrobial, anticancer, antiplatelet and antiemetic activities; fruit possess anticancer, antioxidant, radio-protective and anti-hyperglycemic properties; while stem bark possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The fruits are a cooling tonic, astringent & aphrodisiac; they allay thirst & burning sensations, remove biliousness, cure inflammation, heart & blood disorders and fevers. The fruit is also good against throat trouble. The bark is used as a demulcent, febrifuge and treatment for diarrhea. It cures urinary troubles and relieves burning sensation. The root bark is employed in treating rheumatism. The leaves are applied on skin eruptions and they are known to have antibiotic action.

The tree improves the soil and also aids in reclamation of degraded land. It has been proved that the plantations of Phalsa increased organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus & Potassium in the soil and reduced Calcium Carbonate, pH & bulk density due to litter production greater than that of other fruit trees. It is propagated easily by seeds.

Phalsa can be grown on a wide range of soils, even those that are slightly alkaline, clay or sandy soils. But for fruit production, ideal is a rich alluvial soil. The tree grows in both tropical and subtropical climates but will tolerate other climates, except at high altitude; however, it does best in regions having distinct summer and winter seasons. It is very hardy, drought-tolerant species and capable of existing under severe conditions and is suitable for arid regions.

The fresh leaves are valued as fodder. The mucilaginous extract from the tree obtained after pounding in water is used to clarify sugarcane juice during the preparation of gur, the traditional brown sugar made in India. Ropes or cordage can also be obtained from the tree. Furthermore, there is no serious pest or disease of this species.

There is a similar close cousin of Phalsa from the same genus, the Dhaman (Grewia Tiliifolia/धामण, धामनी) is a moderate-sized deciduous tree.

The yellow flower resembles the Phalsa flower very much. The main difference is in the leaves. The leaves of Dhaman are oblique heart-shaped.

The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its fibre and edible fruit. The black, globose, 2-3 lobed fruit is about the size of a pea, having a nice flavor. Fruit is a good source of micronutrients such as anthocyanins, phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C. They have a moderate antioxidant activity and make an excellent, healthful addition to the diet.

Dhaman grows rapidly in full sun and light shade. It is successful in a range of well-drained soils. It also serves as a larval host plant for the Coladenia Indrani species of butterflies. It is also propagated by seeds.

The tree has numerous medicinal properties. It is employed in dysentery & applied externally to remove irritation from itch. It also has emetic properties. Leaves and twigs are lopped for fodder. The leaves contain 1% tannin and are sometimes employed as a soap substitute for washing hair. 

Sandpaper Raisin or Rough-leaved Raisin (Grewia Flavescens/खटखटी) is a large shrub or small tree, with beautifully bright yellow flowers. It is multi-stemmed and densely branched, forming a very irregular leafy canopy. Leaves are simple, alternate, hairy and light green on both sides, being more hairy underneath; with irregularly toothed edges. The fruit is berry-like and hard. The skin of the fruit is said to be the hardest amongst the Grewia species. The fruit are eaten by birds, especially hornbills, and also by monkeys. 

The species is also known for its ornamental value and is used as a vegetable, fodder and to make baskets. The fruits are used as food and for traditional medicinal treatments.

The fruits of Grewias attracts many birds and is also consumed by monkeys and antelopes. Leaves are food plants for the larvae of moth-like Skipper butterflies. The trees also serve as important pollinators, food source for many animals and provide a good support for the ecosystem. These species have high potential in agroforestry practices as well as have high ornamental value. Hence it is great have one of these beauties near house!

The Rosewoods

There is a tree which is often mistaken for Indian Rosewood due to striking similarity in their leaves and flowers. But can be distinguished by somewhat darker bark.

Black Rosewood (Dalbergia Latifolia/काळा शिसम, काळारुख) is moderate-to-large sized tree with a dome shaped crown of lush green foliage. The leaves of Shisham have pointing tip whereas the leaves of this species are blunt and broadly rounded with wavy margins. The broad leaves explains the species name latifolia.

Furthermore, though it sheds its leaves, it can hardly be found leafless. It flowers abundantly in aromatic clusters of white colour creating an eye-soothing view. Due to these reasons, it is noted to attract number of birds, butterflies, insects and wildlife. Hence the tree needs to be introduced in home gardens in urban societies. 

Practically, Black Rosewood is quite similar to Shisham, including their use in agroforestry, apiculture, medicines, ornamental or soil improvement. It is also a Nitrogen-fixing tree and gives the nitrogen-rich foliage which is widely used as a green manure and fodder. Like other member of the genus Dalbergia, its honey is dark amber and strong flavoured.

In a drier habitat, the hardy tree is leafless for couple of months, regaining its leaves in April-May. In a moist locality, it is evergreen throughout the year. The species grows on a variety of soils. It grows best on well-drained, deep, moist soils & black cotton soils. The root system of the tree is well developed with deep tap roots and long lateral roots. It reproduces by seed, root sucker or cuttings. Although no treatment is necessary, soaking seed in cool water for 12-24 hours will hasten germination of seeds. 

Black Rosewood is widely used for reforestation of eroded soils. It is also planted as a roadside tree and shade tree. It acts as a soil improver. The leaf litter decomposes slowly releasing nutrients gradually and it is used as mulch. Medicines are made from the tannins in the bark, for diarrhoea, worms, indigestion, and leprosy. These tannins also produce an appetizer.

There is another species from the same genus, Dhobin or Phansi (Dalbergia Lanceolaria subsp. Paniculata/धोबीन, फणशी, दोंडूस) is a very conspicuous and handsome, deciduous tree. It is eye as well as ear catching tree when profusely covered with flowers and young leaves. The tree is actually loud with the buzzing of thousands of bees. Its flowers are white & fragrant.

This species is a moderately fast growing tree. It is recommended for reforestation projects on degraded land where seeds are unlikely to grow successfully. It is propagated by seeds. Young seedlings grow well in the dappled shade of the forest, but they become more light-demanding as they grow older. 

Different parts of trees particularly seed and bark are used in the Ayurveda; mainly to treat arthritic infections and inflammations.

The lesser known tree species has a great potential in Agroforestry. Dhobin has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. In  other uses, it is used as wind  break for micro-climate enhancement, nectar source for honeybees, and in addition to these leaves are used as a fodder for livestock animals. 

Both these Rosewoods are excellent choice for farmers as well as city dwellers!

Dridhataru...The Robust Tree!

The Button tree or Dhok (Anogeissus Pendula/धोक, काळा धावडा) is a beautiful, moderate-sized species. With or without flowers, the tree is known for grace and beauty of its silky foliage. In winters before falling, the leaves turn a beautiful yellowish red. Every time you visit the tree, it appears surprisingly different!

Dhok is often confused with well-known Dhvada tree or rather, is recognized as Dhavda. It has variable bark. Dhok has tiny fragrant flowers in dense clusters. It is a dominant species on sloppy & rocky soils, as nothing else can survive there. It coppices & pollards well and the coppice shoots are fairly fast growing, although the tree grows slowly. It fruits abundantly but has low germination rate. 

Despite having such a low regeneration capacity and a very tough growing conditions, the tree does something spectacular to regenerate. Mr. Pradip Krishen, the writer & environmentalist, finds the tree very unique and pretty. Under the soil surface, a tree sends out a horizontal stem, called a ‘stolon’ and from the end, a sapling roots. Such stems extend in every direction, spawning a colony of genetically identical trees. “It’s like the trees are holding hands. Button tree is more like a Banyan, which instead of sending aerial roots down, sends subterranean shoots up.” says Krishen. 

Dhok is a very important tree species of the fragile eco-systems. It is a drought hardy plant that yields excellent animal fodder and other products like green dye and tannins. The tree is also known for many medicinal properties and has uses for ailments like dysentery, gastric disorders, skin problems, cough or for its anti-oxidant properties. 

It has ecological significance for the Aravalli range and other hilly areas of the country, where it is difficult for other tree species to thrive. It is a hardy tree that can survive even in the extreme conditions.

Axlewood tree or Dhavda (Anogeissus Latifolia/धावडा, धव) is a similar beautiful species from same genus. It is a medium-to-large sized, deciduous tree.

It is one of the most useful multi-purpose trees in India. Axlewood also has tiny beautiful fragrant flowers in dense clusters. But flowerless tree is also equally attractive, mainly due to the bark. Its bark surface is smooth or with scales, pale to dark gray and is mottled in a characteristic pattern. It has somewhat similar flowers and fruits as that of Dhok. Leaves are nearly opposite on drooping branches. 

The drought tolerant tree is also fire-resistant, but does not tolerate water-logging. It is found on a variety of soils, but prefers deep alluvial soils. The tree’s robust nature gives it the Sanskrit name Dridhataru! :)

It is usually mentioned as a possible agroforestry species. Tussar silkworms are fed on its foliage, which is also used as fodder for cattle and buffaloes. Its flowers are an important pollen source for bees. The tree is a good survivor on eroded land. It is often used for river bank stabilization. The tree improves the quality of soil wherever planted. Axlewood tree contributes to soil nutrient cycle by exhibiting high leaf-litter decomposition rates. Its leaves contain large amounts of tannin. The tree is the source of Indian gum, also known as Ghatti gum. Ghatti gum is a good substitute for Gum-arabic and is used in printing, for confectioneries, in dye processes and as a binding agent in pharma industries. It also gives good quality charcoal.

Medicinally, the plant root pacifies vitiated kapha, vata and abdominal disorders. The bark cures vitiated conditions of kapha and vata, wounds and ulcers, inflammations, diabetes, haemorrhages, haemoptysis, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, skin diseases, liver diseases and general debility. Also it is reported to be used in treating snake bites and scorpion stings in India.

Axlewood can be propagated by seeds and coppices. The seeds are soaked in cold water for about 48 hours or 3-min hot water treatment is done for successful germination. The tree produces root suckers, coppices and pollards well.

Both these trees deserve far more attention as an ornamental and ecologically important trees. May be that's why these trees got their place on the 11th anniversary of Gifting Trees...! :-)

Compost : From Garbage to Garden...

From last post, we have come to know that for solid waste management, there is no throwing ‘away’. The solid waste can be out of our sight, but not out of our environment. Everything we are doing to manage the waste is directly or indirectly affecting us and our ecosystem through pollution.

Composting is a great way of recycling unwanted food scraps & yard waste into a useful garden additive. There is a bit of work involved in composting, but the extra effort well is worth the resulting nutrient rich soil amendment. 

There are many different ways to make compost, with no one method being right or wrong. Many people will try to tell you the ‘proper’ way to compost. But the fact is good compost can be achieved with whatever materials you have available; provided it is biodegradable and free of chemicals, disease or other toxins.

As I previously said, there is no right or wrong way to compost. However, there are good & bad things to compost. Try your own mix of ingredients until you find a recipe that works for you.

The tree leaves that accumulate in and around your landscape represent a valuable natural resource that can be used to provide a good source of organic matter and nutrients for use in your landscape. I have seen many urban dwellers who want to get rid of these fallen leaves. Rather they consider these leaves as nuisance. Either they burn them or send these leaves to dumping yard. Being both of the ways wrong, You must remember that there is no word as ‘waste’ in Mother Nature’s dictionary. Everything that comes from Nature has to go back or it will harm us all. The leaves needs to composted and given back to our soil. It is an established fact that the trees in one acre of forest shed as much as two tons of leaves each year. You may complain that your neighborhood outdoes any forest, but be thankful. Save your leaves. And if your neighbors don’t want them, hang on to theirs. It makes no sense to send valuable treasure to the dump or to burn them!

In forests, sacred groves (देवराई) and pastures, tree leaves and other organic wastes form a natural carpet over the soil surface which conserves moisture, modifies temperatures and prevents soil erosion and crusting. In time, bacteria, fungi and other natural occurring organisms decompose or compost the leaves and other organic material, supplying the existing plants with a natural, slow release form of nutrients. You can, and must, take advantage of this same concept. 

It may be a long process, but I can’t think of any one reason not to make compost for use in your garden. It’s free, simple to do and made from a resource that is never in short supply.

There isn’t anything much easier than making leaf mold. If you have some space in your garden, this is a good way to start composting. While making leaf mold, one can add their kitchen scraps to the pile. This way, he/she can reduce the amount of waste (or a resource!) going to dumping yard.

You want to begin by making sure the leaves are thoroughly moistened. Dry leaves begin to lose nitrogen and this will slow the process of decomposition. There are a few ways to turn leafs into one of the most valuable additives you could put in your soil.

Be sure to mix more brown materials than green materials into your pile to prevent terrible odors. That means you should add more dried stuff such as dried leaves, stalks or straw than the green stuff like fresh yard trimmings, Kitchen vegetable scraps, Weeds, Dead houseplants, Garden debris and cow/horse manure. 

The materials like diseased plants, Meat, bones or fish, glossy paper etc should never be added to a compost pile.

An easy ambitious method is to make a 3 feet by 3 feet cage using stakes & wire. You just have to pile up the leaves in the cage. To ensure even decomposition it is advised to turn the pile occasionally. Always sprinkle water if pile starts to dry. Or you can also rake your leaves into a pile in your yard and leave them there for a year or so. Remember to cover green scraps by dried leaves.

If you have a proper condition for earthworm’s proliferation, then you can get your compost within a really short period of time. Vermi-composting is a way to make high quality compost using earthworms. Worms are food eating machines. Once you have an active worm bin, your kitchen scrapes will quickly become a nutrient rich organic fertilizer.

Some urbanites residing in apartments may excuse that they do not have space required for composting. They can use method which usually consisting of aerated Matkas or drums. There are many NGOs or shops selling these types of compact composting units which can easily fit in your balcony or terrace. One has to have the will, then only there will be a way! Watch this video of Vani Murthy, who composts in her own apartment.

Once the leaf mold is ready, you can use it in many ways. Leaf mold is one of the best soil conditioners, it helps to loosen the soil, making it less dense & easier for roots to penetrate and take up nutrients.

Soil Enrichment - Leaf mulch returns nutrients back to the soil. Your plants and garden will require less or no fertilizer and other additives.

Water Conservation - Leaf mulch helps retain moisture in soils. When soil is covered with leaf mulch, the mulch lowers the soil’s exposure to sun and wind which reduces evaporation.

Save Money - By managing your biodegradable waste on site, you eliminate the costs of pick up & transport and fuel to landfill, making you a more responsible earth inhabitant. 

Insulation - Mulch acts like an insulating barrier from the heat in the summer, from the cold in the winter and from the wind all year round. Mulch prevents compaction and erosion of soils from wind and rain.

Weed Control - Leaf mulch can help prevent the growth of weeds. Add a thick layer (2 to 3 inches) to gardens to reduce the need for herbicides.

With all these great uses why not turn your kitchen and yard waste into a free source of all natural nutrient rich soil additive/fertilizer..?! Composting is a growing solution to solid waste management. Today, knowledge and interest in the science of composting is increasing dramatically. Whether an ancient art or a modern science, composting is a useful and environmentally sound gardening practice for you.

Madhugandha..Sweet Odoured Tree

With its small shiny, thick, narrow, pointed leaves, straight trunk and spreading branches, it is a prized ornamental specimen. Indian Medlar or simply, Bakul (Mimusops Elengi/बकुळ, सुरभी) is a medium-sized evergreen tree having a well shaped dense, rounded canopy with rough dark grey bark.

Bakul is a very beautiful tree. The tree bears creamy white fragrant flowers and ovoid berries. The flowers have such a great fragrance that it fills the night air with the delicious heady aroma. Flowers are small, star-shaped with a crown rising from the center. In the morning the fragrant flowers which so graciously scented their surroundings with their deep, rich fragrance during the evening hours, fall to the ground. People love to collect them as they retain their odor for many days after they fall. They are offered in temples and shrines throughout the country.

The tree provides a dense shade. Also it gives useful green manure. Besides, due to its moderate size, it is a perfect candidate for urban plantations and home gardens. It is preferred along roads. The tree is said be useful in Apiaries and as a windbreak. Bakul has innumerable synonyms portraying its peculiarities like Surabhi meaning 'fragrant', Madhu gandha meaning 'sweet odoured' etc.

Bakul tree is one of the herbs mentioned in all ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and has been used for medicinal purpose since centuries. In Meghaduta, one of the highly esteemed ancient poetry of the great poet Kalidasa, there is a mention of Bakula tree. Sushruta has cited it to have astringent property and beneficial to alleviate kapha and pitta doshas in Sushruta Samhita. Chakradatta has also mentioned about its usefulness in dental diseases. The bark, flowers, fruits and seeds are cooling, anthelmintic, tonic and febrifuge. 

In Indian mythology, it is said to put forth blossoms when sprinkled with nectar from the mouth of lovely women. The Bakul tree is associated with Lord Trimurti and Bakula is one of His several names. The flower is offered to Gods and Goddesses throughout India. The tree is also sacred to the Buddhists and the Jain. Because of the flowers' ability to hold on to their fragrance for many days after they fall from the tree, the offering of the flower has a symbolic meaning - the flower signifies unwavering devotion. :-)

The Hard among Trees

Famed for its immense medicinal value, Indian Rose Chestnut, Cobra Saffron or Nagkesar (Mesua Ferrea/नागकेसर) is a handsome, medium-sized evergreen tree. Its botanical name Ferrea means 'belonging to iron' referring to its very hard & durable timber. It is often planted as an ornamental for its fragrant white flowers that yield a perfume.

The tree flowers during the dry season and flowers are bisexual. They has nice fragrance. The flushes of new leaves are produced just after flowering at the start of the rainy season. The new foliage can be strikingly attractive as it's red in colour which turns creamy yellow afterwards, giving the tree a wonderful appearance. The flower is the state flower of Tripura and the tree itself is the state tree of Mizoram.

The Nagkesar tree is very beautiful and known for its ornamental value. It is an attractive lawn tree with a regular, conical, bushy crown, vivid green leaves and showy, fragrant flowers. It is commonly grown along roadsides and in parks, a perfect species for urban plantation. Though it is equally useful, it is hardly considered as!

Environmentally, the tree very good! Its dense canopy provide shelter to many birds as well as shade. It provide abundant green manure for agriculture or garden. It also helps in Nitrogen fixing due to Endo-mycorrhizal associations. The seed meal of Nagkesar is a good source of protein & energy and its use as a feed ingredient for cattle is proposed.

Other uses include as a provider of good quality coal, tannin, dyes etc. The fragrant flowers are also used to stuff pillows, cushions and in cosmetic products & perfumes.

Medicinally, it is well known species in traditional medicine of Ayurveda and admired all over India as well as overseas. Many parts of the tree has digestant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anthelmintic and haemostatic activity. It can be used in the treatment of numerous ailments like fever, itching, nausea, leprosy, skin disorders, erysipelas, bleeding piles, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, excessive thirst and sweating. It also known to enhance the complexion. It leads to fragility transparency to the skin. Oil from the seeds is used for sores, scabies, wounds and rheumatism.

Probably that's the reason, Nagkesar tree is considered sacred in India!

The Trees for Taste

Here is a tasty treat for you that you will surely enjoy! :)

Although it may not be what you would choose for an afternoon snack, we consider Lemons (Citrus Limon/लिंबू) as powerhouses when we want to bring out the flavor of other foods. Lemon tree is becoming more and more popular as landscaping plant, offering not only fruit but an attractive form of year-round, glossy, deep green foliage and fragrant flowers that would rival any!

Lemons are oval in shape and feature a greenish-yellow, textured outer peel. Like other citrus fruits, their inner flesh is encased in 8 to 10 segments. While most of them are tart, acidic & astringent, they are also surprisingly refreshing. Slices of Lemon are served as a garnish on food or with iced or hot tea, to be squeezed for the flavorful juice.

The fruit is very nutritional. It contains vitamin A, B complex, C and E with number of minerals like Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Selenium, Manganese, Copper, Zinc etc in good quantity. Probably that is why it is used tremendously in cooking. A drink made from Lemon juice a cool, refreshing one. Lemon juice, fresh, canned, concentrated & frozen or dehydrated & powdered, is primarily used for lemonade, in carbonated beverages or other drinks. It is also used for making pies and tarts, as a flavoring for cakes, cookies, cake icings, puddings, sherbet, confectionery and preservatives.

But beyond cooking, in the world of traditional medicine, the lemon is widely known for its healing powers and is used in many different ways. Lemon juice is valued in the home as a stain remover, and a slice of lemon dipped in salt can be used to clean copper-bottomed cooking pots. Lemon juice has been used for bleaching freckles and is incorporated into some facial cleansing creams. Lemon peel is the source of lemon oil, pectin and citric acid. Lemon oil is added to frozen or otherwise processed lemon juice to enrich the flavor. It is much employed as a flavoring for hard candies. It is also much used in furniture polishes, detergents, soaps & shampoos. It is important in perfume blending, especially in colognes.

Not only the fruit juice but oil expressed from lemon seeds is also employed medicinally. Lemon juice is widely known as a diuretic, anti-scorbutic, astringent and febrifuge. Lemon juice in hot water has been widely advocated as a daily laxative & preventive of the common cold. Lemon juice and honey, or lemon juice with salt or ginger, is taken when needed as a cold remedy.

The lemon tree is a very hardy tree. It doesn't require much care and grows moderately fast. It has the reputation of tolerating very infertile, very poor soil. It is easily propagated from seeds.

The Lemon tree is a suitable species for urban home gardens. But it can also be a good agroforestry tree. The fruit peel & foliage can be used a s a cattle-feed. The aromatic flowers may serve as bee-forage. The tree also controls soil erosion with the help of dense network of roots. Furthermore, it gives green manure which is useful in farming. It is a ideal species for fencing or as a windbreak.

The another species to add taste to your food is the Kokum tree (Garcinia Indica/कोकम, आमसूल, रातंबा, भेरंड) which is a graceful, tall evergreen tree. It is indigenous to the Western Ghats region of India, along the western coast which is gifted with rich soil, adequate rainfall and very good sunshine.

Kokum tree has dark green foliage & a pyramidal shape. The tree blooms in winter and the fruits ripen in summer. The Kokum fruit or Ratamba looks similar to small variety plum and has dark purple color when ripe. Fruits are harvested when ripe and only the rind is preserved by drying in the Sun. That is Kokum or Aamsul. Sometimes salt is rubbed onto the rind to speed up the drying process. It is used as a slightly sour spice in recipes from Maharashtra that yields peculiar taste and dark red colour. It is preferred in curries and other dishes from Konkan. It is widely used in Konkani cuisine, in Gujarat and some cuisines of South India.

Kokum is mainly used as a souring agent. It has a fruity & distinctive tangy flavor. It is commonly utilized as a garnish in Indian cuisine and is an essential ingredient to a tasty local curry, Sol Kadhi. It is a popular drink used during hot summer months to quench thirst and to provide gastric relief. 

The fruit tree has culinary, pharmaceutical and industrial uses. The tree is also ornamental, with a dense canopy of green leaves and red-tinged, tender, emerging leaves. It is found in forest lands, riversides & wasteland and also gets cultivated on a small scale. It is rainfed, does not have any pest or diseases & is almost a 'zero-attention' species. It does not require irrigation, spraying or fertilizers. Those researching on the tree see it as having a bright future. It is propagated from seeds.

Kokum has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine as it was traditionally used to treat sores, dermatitis, ear infection and to relieve gastric problems like acidity, flatulence, constipation & indigestion. The tree pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, obesity, hypercholestremia, diarrhea, colic, ulcers, inflammations and hyper-perspiration. Kokum is known to strengthen the cardio-vascular system and stabilize liver function. The hydroxycitric acid present in the fruit fights cholesterol and curbs lipogenesis, thus aiding weight loss.

Kokum fruits contain rich amounts of anti-oxidants that bind with free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to body cells. They also promote cell regeneration and repair. Kokum juice is also thought to be effective against allergies due to bee stings and other insect bites, sun exposure symptoms and acidity. It is mixed with yogurt and salt to make a natural antacid, the perfect addition to spicy Indian feasts.

Kokum seed contains 23-26% oil, which remains solid at room temperature and freezes to form Kokum butter. It is extensively used in the preparations of confectionery, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry as it works wonders on dry, chapped, sensitive, irritated or burnt skin. Kokum butter is rapidly gaining popularity over Cocoa butter as an intensive skin moisturizer. Due to its soothing and healing properties, it is also applied directly to wounds and infected areas on the skin. It is rich in healthy fats like stearic and oleic acids and can also be used as edible oil.

Kokum sherbet/juice is a healthier and far more refreshing option as compared to commercial bottled drinks. It acts as an appetite stimulant and has anti-helmintic properties. It also helps in bringing down fever and allergic reactions. Kokum juice is extremely popular during scorching summer months as it has a cooling effect on the body and shields the body against dehydration and sunstroke.

Kokum can be an excellent agroforestry species. It grows moderately fast & provide good quantity of green manure. It usually can be seen as shade or wind-break species.

Finally here is a tree which is actually not native to India. It originated in tropical Africa, including Sudan. Its the Tamarind tree (Tamarindus Indica/चिंच). Surprisd?? But that's right! The tree was so long ago introduced into and adopted in India that it has often been reported as indigenous here; and it was apparently from this Asiatic country that it reached the Persians and the Arabs who called it tamar e hind (Indian date, from the date-like appearance of the dried pulp), giving rise to both its common and generic names. Marco Polo mentions the tree in the year 1298. In the Indian Brahmasamhita scriptures, the tree is mentioned between 1200 and 200 B.C. and in Buddhist sources from about the year A.D. 650. May be due to this very very long period, the tree has become familiar to the birds, insects and wildlife if India.

It is a long-lived evergreen tree with wide, dense crown. It grows well over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. It tolerates a great diversity of soil types, from deep alluvial soil to rocky land & porous limestone. It withstands salt spray and can be planted fairly close to the seashore. Its extensive root system contributes to its resistance to drought and wind. The evergreen habit and the beautiful flowers make it suitable for ornamental planting in parks, along roads and riverbanks.

Just like Kokum, Tamarind is mainly used as a souring agent. All kitchens of India (especially south Indian) will have Tamarind, which is used in a variety of preparations. The fruit pulp, mixed with a little salt, is a favourite ingredient of the curries and chutneys popular throughout India. The ripe fruit of the sweet type is usually eaten fresh, whereas the fruits of sour types are made into juice, jam, syrup and candy. Fruit is marketed worldwide in sauces, syrups and processed foods. It has a high content of vitamin B (Thiamine & Niacin) as well as a small amount of Carotene and vitamin C. The flowers, leaves and seeds can be eaten and are prepared in a variety of dishes. 

The soft, succulent pulp is used as a confectionery and an ingredient sherbets and beverages. The fruit is equally nutritious too; containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber. The tender pods can also be eaten as a vegetable, cooked or pickled. Once the seeds are extracted and the pods removed, Tamarind pulp can be stored for several months in a compressed form. Ripe tamarind fruit has a widely recognized and proven medicinal value. The fruit is said to reduce fever and cure intestinal ailments. Its effectiveness against scurvy is well documented. It is a common ingredient in cardiac and blood sugar reducing medicines. The pulp is also used as an astringent on skin infections. It is even used as a laxative. Leaves and flowers, too, are useful as they are both edible and the leaves make a good poultice for boils; also an infusion from them makes a fine yellow dye which is used to give a green colour to silks previously dyed with indigo.

The foliage has a high forage value and is coppiciable. Flowers are reportedly a good source for honey production. It also provides an excellent charcoal. The tree usually employed as shade species or as a wind-break. It is easily propagated by seed.

Without these trees, there would be hardly any taste left..not only in our cuisines, but also in Nature! Yummy na?! :-P

Neem and Neem!

We all are aware of importance of the Noble tree Neem. Today we will get acquainted to two tree species which, though closely resembles Neem, are in no way related to it.

The Curry Leaf (Bergera Koenigii/कढीनिंब, कढीपत्ता) is a small evergreen tree which is a fast grower. It is known so because it has the 'leaf that is used to make curry' and it is present in almost all the dishes of Tamil Nadu state. In other states of India also, the leaves are a must and are absolutely necessary for the authentic flavour!

It is also known as Sweet Neem since the appearance of the leaves is similar to the unrelated medicinal Neem tree. Similarly in Gujarati, it is known as Meetho Leemdo (means Sweet neem). The leaves are highly aromatic. It is a good source of vitamin A, Calcium & Iron. The leaves primarily used in providing a flavour in Indian food. The flowers are small, white & fragrant. The small black shiny berries are edible and are very nutritious.

The Curry leaves are highly valued as seasoning or a natural flavouring agent in southern and west-coast Indian cooking, and especially in curries, though can be used in many other dishes to add spice like chutneys, soups, pickles, vegetables, buttermilk preparations etc.

The leaves and fruits are also used as a herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Their properties include much value as an anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, anti-hyper-cholesterolemic and many more. It can help in reducing blood sugar level. Curry leaves are cool, stimulant and also known to be good for hair, for keeping it healthy and long. It also helps prevent premature hair greying. A volatile oil extracted from leaves is used as a fixative for soap perfume. This plant is quite ornamental due to its compound leaves. It can, therefore, be used as a hedge and as an ornamental species. It is also known for its soil-binding ability, hence prevents soil-erosion.

Curry Leaf tree does not require much maintenance or care. The tree is easily propagated from its numerous root-suckers or seeds.

The other species which is frequently confused with Neem tree is Bead tree or Persian Lilac (Melia Azedarach/बकाणनिंब). It is a moderately-sized, fast-growing tree. Locally, it is also known as Bakain.

The tree appears very beautiful due its bright green foliage. It produces dense, shady and well rounded canopy. In landscapes, it is usually pruned to form an umbrella shape.

Bead tree is a tough survivor and is usually grown in gardens or as a street tree where it provides cool shade on hot summer days. The tree produces bright and lush green foliage in spring followed by beautiful clusters of tiny, pale-purple or lilac blooms that draw attention to their presence by their delightful fragrance. The cherry-like green fruits grown abundantly.

Like Neem, it is naturally resistant to pests, termites and fungal infection. Extract from the bark and fruit has pharmacological properties and is used to kill parasitic roundworms. It is well known for its medicinal uses. Its various parts have antihelmintic, antimalarial, cathartic, emetic properties and are also used to treat skin diseases. Seed-oil is used in rheumatism. Leaves and fruits are insect repellent. Dried ripe fruit is used as an external parasiticide.

The hardy tree is drought-tolerant and is easily propagated by seeds. It also withstand coppicing and lopping as for fodder and leaves are highly nutritious. It also gives good quality charcoal. Fruit stones make ideal beads and are used in making necklaces & rosaries.

Bead tree is a well-known ornamental avenue tree, for its scented flowers and shady, spreading crown. But it is also widely used as a shade tree in coffee plantations or as windbreak. It also provide abundant green manure.

It seems, its best to have these Neems! :-)

The Future of Biofuel

It must have been 40° C + outside, but when you spot this tree, it provide a nice green canopy and offer a cool, soothing welcome despite of the heat. Indian Beech tree, Karanj or Pongam tree (Millettia Pinnata/करंज) is an ever-green, moderated sized tree.

Pongam tree is very beautiful tree with attractive, showy, fragrant flowers; borne on racemes, are pink, light purple or white in colour. It attracts many small birds and butterflies like the Cerulean, Blue Tiger & Common Crows. They are considered good sources of pollen for honey bees. Many of these trees are just coming into bloom in the city. The flowers and new leaves generally appear together. When the trees are in flower the ground below them is usually carpeted with blooms. The flowers are used by gardeners as compost for plants requiring rich nutrients.

It is a very hardy tree and can adapt itself to varying conditions. Pongam tree can grow on most soil types ranging from stony to sandy to clayey, including Verticals. It does not do well on dry sands. It is highly tolerant of salinity and is an ideal candidate for saline soil reclamation. It is common along waterways or seashores, with its roots in fresh or salt water.

The tree is well suited to intense heat & sunlight and its dense network of lateral roots and its thick, long taproot make it drought-tolerant. The dense shade it provides slows the evaporation of surface water and its root nodules promote nitrogen fixation. Pongam tree is one of the few nitrogen fixing trees to produce seeds containing 30-40% oil.

The seeds has variety of uses. It yields thick reddish oil used for burning and for skin diseases as having bactericidal and anti-fungal properties. It also is very effective against white flies, mites and other sucking pests in all crops. In fact, almost every step in the life cycle of Pongam seeds results in a safe and useful product. Once the oil has been extracted from the seeds, the remaining seed-cake can be mixed with water and placed in an airtight environment where it ferments, producing a flammable gas and a slurry, which is a safe and highly effective organic fertilizer. The gas can be compressed and stored in small tanks for use as cooking fuel. (Biogas burns far cleaner than wood or cow dung, the traditional cooking fuels, and so causes fewer respiratory disorders.) Widespread use of gas for cooking could also help curb the rampant deforestation common to areas where wood is used as a primary fuel. The seed-cake has other uses as well.

Incorporation of leaves and the seed-cake into soils improves fertility. Dried leaves are used as an insect repellent in stored grains. The seed-cake, when applied to the soil, has pesticidal value, particularly against nematodes. Pongam tree is a fast growing tree which gives valuable fodder for livestock, especially in arid regions. They are also used as green manure. String and rope can be made from the bark fiber.

If that's not enough, the oil can also be used as Biodiesel in motor engines! Or rather, it is being used worldwide. Even in India, the Karnataka state transport department has operated buses on a diesel blended with 30% Pongam oil.

On a global scale, biofuels reduce the net emission of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. While it is true that any burning fuel releases carbon into the atmosphere, fossil fuels are composed of carbon previously stored below the earth’s surface in the form of oil, natural gas & coal, and as they burn they release a new load of carbon into the air. On the other hand, the carbon content of biofuels like Pongam oil has been taken directly from the atmosphere as the tree grows- on average, one hectare (2.47 acres) of Pongam tree absorbs 30 tons of carbon per year. Thus burning Pongam oil instead of fossil fuels has the overall effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 75% and carbon monoxide emissions by almost 50%. So planting Pongam tree may even help slow global warming.

The Pongam tree is easily raised from seeds. It is often planted in homesteads as a shade or ornamental tree and in avenue plantings along roadsides and canals. It is a preferred species for controlling soil erosion and binding sand dunes because of its thick long taproot and network of lateral roots.

In the traditional systems of medicines, Ayurveda and Unani, it is described that the tree possesses medicinal properties. Be it its root, bark, leaf, sap or flower. The tree is used as anti-inflammatory, anti-plasmodial, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-lipidperoxidative, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-ulcer, anti-hyperammonic and antioxidant agent.

Pongam tree will do more than provide a steady source of biofuel; adult trees create shade and fix nitrogen in the soil, revitalizing scrubland into thriving fields from which farmers can maintain their livelihood.

The Golden Shower

Without doubt, this is a lovely flowering tree. Indian Laburnum  or more commonly known as, Amaltas (Cassia Fistula/बहावा, स्वर्णपुष्पी) is one of the most beautiful of our indigenous trees; it adds colour to our hills during the drier and hotter parts of summer. The beauty of the picture encompassing the extremely beautiful, bright yellow flowers of the tree is beyond words!

During the hot season when the long, drooping sprays of clear, yellow flowers clothe the tree in a mantle of gold, it is indeed a glorious sight. Each spray is more than 30 cm. in length and bears long, slim stalks with numerous, large, deliciously fragrant flowers and rounded buds. These flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and small birds, making it an extremely showy tree in bloom.

The awesome tree is equally beautiful! In Ayurvedic medicine, Golden Shower tree is known aragvadha, meaning 'disease killer'. Its fruit pulp is used as a mild laxative, used against fevers, arthritis, vatavyadhi (nervous system diseases), all kinds of rakta-pitta (bleeding, such as hematemesis or hemorrhages), as well as cardiac conditions and stomach problems such as acid reflux. The root is considered a very strong purgative and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts.

Amaltas is the state flower of Kerala. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala which is considered as the first day of Zodiac calender. The Vishukkani is inseparable from Vishu. According to the age-old belief, an auspicious kani (first sight) at dawn on the Vishu day is lucky for the entire year. As a result, the Vishukkani is prepared with a lot of care to make it the most positive sight so as to bring alive a wonderful, propitious and year ahead! The feast on the Vishu day also include food items made from Neem and Mango. 

There is an interesting fact related to the fruits of Amaltas. The fruits are dark-brown cylindrical in shape, 2 feet in length. The pod is hard enough and there in no way that the seeds will be dispersed after drying of the pods or so.

So how, do you think, does the natural seed dispersal of Amaltas take place?

Well Nature has it all! The seeds are enclosed in sweet pulp which has laxative properties. In forests, it is the main attraction for sloth bears and jackals. They eat the pod and seeds pass through their Gastro-Intestinal tract. Then the seeds are dropped out at different places by these animals. :-) 

Amaltas is propagated from seed. Artificially, soaking in boiling water for 5 minutes and then 24 hour cold water soaking can help in germinating the seeds faster.

The tree is very useful in Apiculture. It is often utilised as shade tree or windbreak. It also gives excellent quality charcoal and tannin. The leaves provide useful green manure. Amaltas is widely planted in gardens and societies due its ornamental properties. It makes an excellent show when planted along the roads. The Laburnum Road in Mumbai has been exclusively lined with Amaltas trees and hence named so..!

The Tiger Claw

The more than a pretty tree..Indian Coral tree (Erythrina Stricta/पांगारा) is a showy, moderately spreading tree with brilliant red blossoms. It is highly valued ornamental tree which often regarded as one of the gems of floral world!

The Indian Coral is a beautiful thorny deciduous tree. The tree is a captivating sight when in bloom, with clusters of bright, orange-scarlet up-facing flower clusters sitting at the end of branchlets. This arrangement give the tree its name Tiger Claw. A Coral Tree in full bloom is always like an aviary. Sunbirds, Tits, Barbets, Mynas, Rosypastors, Babblers and Parakeets, as well as numerous bees and wasps swarm round the tree in noisy eagerness. By their love of the nectar, the flowers become fertilized. 

It is a useful agroforestry species for soil enrichment. It modulates readily and prolifically in both acid & alkaline soils. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and grows best in drier soil. It is widely used as a windbreak for soil and water conservation. The tree is said to have a beneficial influence on the soil owing to the nitrogen-feeding bacteria contained in the nodules on the roots. Hence the tree is also used in cultivation. The trees have a strong, vertical root system that does not seem to compete with adjacent crops. Its leaves also makes an excellent feed for most livestock containing fair amount of crude protein.

Coral tree is a good source of organic matter for green manure. The nitrogen rich litter-fall decomposes rapidly, making nutrients available for plant uptake. The dry foliage normally contains from 1 to 3% nitrogen. The aqueous leaf extracts of the tree have also proven highly toxic to certain nematodes which are crop-pests. Other uses contains as a support for the vine crops, as a shade tree etc.

This legendary tree is supposed to have been grown in Lord Indra's garden, from where Lord Krishna stole the flowers. Then His wives Rukmini and Satyabhama quarrelled for the possession of the precious blooms. May be because, the tree has a reputation in ancient Indian medicines. The bark and leaves are used in many traditional medicines, including Paribhadra, an Indian preparation said to destroy pathogenic parasites and relieve joint pain. Further, the extracts from the tree are used effectively against number of ailments like to kill many worm infestations, to stimulate lactation & menstruation, to relieve rheumatic joints and as a laxative, diuretic & expectorant.

Indian Coral tree is easily propagated from seed or cuttings. And generally requires little maintenance. Once established, seedlings grow rapidly. That makes the tree a perfect choice for gardens!