General Information :

• It is a small to moderate sized deciduous tree.
• Bark bluish black in color.
• Flowers small, Creamy white in color.
• Pods dark brown in color with 12-30 seeds
• Seeds dark, reddish brown in color.

Distribution :

 

• It is common throughout the greater parts of India.

 

Habitat : Deciduous forest

Soil : Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil

Soil pH : 4.5 - 7.5

Altitude :750 – 2200 m(MSL)

Rainfall :1000 - 5000mm.

Temperature : 38 - 48°c

Terrain : Plains/hilly

Tree Characteristics :

• Strong light demander and intolerant of suppression.
• Frost tender and drought resistant.
• Tree coppies well.

Habit : Deciduous Tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Propagated by seed but not satisfactory.

Artificial Regeneration :

• Propagated  by nursery raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The pods are plucked off from trees in the month of January-March.
• Dried in the sun to extract seeds.
• About 7-8 seeds weigh per gram.
• Seeds are viable for one year.
• The germination capacity 60-70 %
• Cold water treatment for 24 hours.

Seed Treatment :

• No seed treatment is required.

Nursery Technique :

• Seeds are directly soil in poly bags filled with sandy loam and FYM.
• Bags are watered regularly.
• It should be kept weed free.
• 6 month old seedlings are fit for planting out.

Plantation technique :

Direct Sowing:

• It is the best method, sown in lines or patches during the onset of monsoon.

Nursery raised Seedlings :

• Planting out is carried out during July in 30 cm3 pits,
• Under dry conditions, pit size of 60 cm3 with a spacing of 3x3 m.
• Planting should be carried out after the commencement of monsoon.

Care & Disease Control :

 

• Regular weeding and soil working are essential for proper establishment of seedlings.

 

Irrigation :

For proper growth and survival it is necessary to give one or two waterings after planting. This is specifically required in arid regions. Irrigation after planting is not a prerequisite in areas having sufficient soil moisture and precipitation. Higher survival rate and better rate of growth is reported when soil and water conservation measures are also adopted.

Recommended Harvest :

 

• 20-70 years
• Leaves are collected twice a year in Apirl and May and September and October.
• Trees are pollarded on a 3 year cycle for production of a good flush of leaves.

Major uses :

• It is used as good fuel.
• Bark is useful for dyeing and fiber making.
• It yields medicinal gum.
• The leaves are used for bidi making.
• Wood is used locally for making agricultural implements.

Other uses :

The inner bark yields a bast fibre that can be made into rude cordage, but which soon rots in water.The wood is not much used, though it makes a good fuel.

Carbon stock :

0.012 tonsC/tree