save environment

 Why and how should be planted tree?

Trees are planted from ancient times. Trees are developed from gymnosperms to angiosperms. Trees are part of nature and human civilization. These cover economical, social, religious, ecological, ornamental and aesthetical values. These are sources of fruits, timber, medicines, fuel, fodder, honey, gum, resin, rubber as raw material.  The part of tree like leaves, stem, fruits, flower and roots are valuable. For example, whole part of neem tree has medicinal and religious value.

Mostly tree are perennial and woody, having height more than 5 meter. Ever increasing population load, industrial activities, urbanization, agricultural activities causes the depletion of forest. At present time, most of the forest land converted into tall buildings, road and highways, agricultural field.

Selection of a tree

Before planting a tree, it is important to know the how much space you have. What is the purpose of tree species plantation? What are the soil and climatic conditions? The tree height should be neither very tall nor occupy large canopy.  The tree can be planted for various purposes. Some tree species are given in Table.

Purpose	Tree species
For Fruit	Mango, mahua, jackfruit, leechi, jamun, coconut, litchi, Carica spp. Orange, bael, tamarind, banana, Indian lemon, custard apple, pomegranate
For shade	Oak, elephant tree, pink cidar, lebbek tree, Dillenia spp., Ficus spp., Pongamia spp., wild olive, rain tree, Terminalia spp.
For flower	Bauhinia, gulmohar, Butea spp., red silk cotton, wild almond, rain tree, umbrella tree, mahua, mast tree
For medicine	Neem, peepal, arjuna, ambla, khair
For fuel	Tamarind, eucalyptus, acacia, oak, Bauhinia spp.
For timber	Sal, teak, chir pine poplus, eucalyptus, rosewood, arjun, mango
For beauty	Willow, thuja, salix, cherry, peach, apricot, gulmohar, tree tomato, prunus, amaltas

Tree health care

Trees are important for earth.  It is necessary to take care of tree health. If the problems like discoloured leaves, dead branches, trunk decay seen, there should be treatment given as soon. We can check tree health by regular inspection. The fungal, bacterial, aphid and insect affected areas should be treated by chemical and biological methods. Mulching is effective in tree care, it provides moisture, air and removal of unwanted grass and plants. The soil pH and nutrients quality should be maintained, soil chemistry affected tree growth and development. Pruning is removal process dead branches and twigs, it improve tree growth and structure.

Where should you plant  tree?

Trees can be planted in following areas

v  Private and government buildings

v  Schools and colleges

v  Roadside and highway

v  Parks

v  In hospitals premises

v  In the boundary of house

v  Inside house

v  Industrial area

v  Community areas

v  Near temple and religious places

v  Near water bodies

Tree importance

Tree benefits ecosystem in many ways.

      Trees reduce the radiant energy from the sun. They provide cooling effect in surrounding area.

      It absorbs green house gases like CO₂, ozone, NO₂ and CFCs, and help in reducing global warming affect.

      Trees attract birds, monkeys, squirrels and other wildlife fauna. They play significant role in conserving wildlife.

      Trees have economical value; it depends on type of species, size and quantity.

      Trees are also helpful in the controlling of noise pollution.

      Trees prevent soil erosion and recharge ground water table.

      Tree have medicinal value, apart from this, they are important source of fruits, timber, fuel and fodder.

      Trees increase the green cover which ultimately improves quality of air and water.

      Trees have spiritual and religious value.

      Trees aesthetic value increases the ecotourism industry.

      It supports grasses and small plants.