ARYA VEP, Neem tree, (Azadirachata
india), this
is a medium to large size evergreen tree.
The leaves crowd together at the end
of branches. It takes in a lot of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and more
oxygen is released by them in the day time. Neem cake, the fertilizer is
obtained from its seeds and its oil is good for treating skin diseases and
leprosy. Its leaves are used to soothe the boils of chicken pox. It is also a
pesticide. The twigs of the tree are an ideal substitute for a toothbrush. This
is an excellent tree to plant by the waysides.
GULMOHUR, (Celoinx
regia) of Caesalpinaceae family, is a very fast growing deciduous tree that
spreads its branches. It blooms from April onwards and when in full bloom the
whole tree is orange, or bright red or even maroon. Four of the petals are
orange-red and red. The fifth is larger with several shades of white and yellow
and bands of red. The flowers open at night. Christians call it the Holy Ghost
tree. It is an ornamental tree which can be grown on the way side for its
beauty. Its home is in Madagascar, which was a French colony; they call it, ‘fleur de paradise’, which means the
flower of the paradise.
BANYAN TREE, (Ficus
bengalnsis) of the Morceae
family is
a popular tree on the roadsides all over India. The aerial roots are to support
the spreading tree. The Kings used to plant it as part of their rule. That can
be planted in a wayside or park. These trees could be an ideal substitute for
the Rain trees which are predominantly seen here. Rain trees were brought in from South America to
utilize its wood as fuel for the trains. This turned out to be a failure as
they did not burn well. Therefore it should be discarded.
‘ARAYAL’ or ’Al-maaram’ (Sacred Fig) (Ficus
religiosa).
These
are huge shade trees; the end of the leaf is elongated and is used for
painting. It is usually planted in temple compounds for their shade. This tree
produces a lot of oxygen during day time. It can be planted in larger junctions
or parks.
Tamarind ,
Ceasalpinaceae, Tamarindus indica, It is a large, tall evergreen tree with a short
trunk and crown of leaves. It lives for a long duration, deep roots. The plant
and its leaves are acidic and therefore smaller plants do not grow underneath.
The flower is pink or yellow in bunches. The fruit is a souring agent. The
fruit is long and flat. The pulp inside the seed cases surround the seeds and
are sour. It is an important ingredient in curries like Sambhar and Rasam. The
wood is used in making ‘Chakku’. It
could be planted on highwaysides.
SOCIAL FORESTRY: The government has
planted a lot of exotic varieties of trees under the “Social Forestry Schemes.”
It is intended to break the speed of the wind and for conservation of ecology. Most
of these trees consume large amount of underground water and cause water shortage.
The wood of these trees is useful for paper manufacturing alone. I would
suggest planting of wild mango trees, jack trees, Neem trees and such other
trees which give fruits, green manure and useful timber for construction of
shelter. A lot of varieties of flora having aerial roots like - ‘Kandal’, (Rhizophora candel) of family
Rhixoph can be planted along the Arabian Sea Coast and Gulf of Bengal instead
of placing bunds with large granite blocks at exhorbitant costs. These trees could break the wind and
withstand the turbulence of the sea. Its roots helped to prevent soil erosion.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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