A cultural treasure trove amid trees

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 14

Early on Saturday morning when the Sun has not yet risen, this group of nature lovers assembles for a tree walk at Punjab Agricultural University in the city.

Suddenly, each tree species comes alive with its own story – the basic identifying features such as the flowering seasons, the colour and fragrance of flowers, the propagation methods and medicinal value of each part of the tree – and some interesting bits of folk culture and mythology woven into the narrative.

Champa, also called the ‘Tree of Life’ and ‘Temple Tree’, is a flowering beauty that can be transplanted to a new location even when it is well-grown. City-based experts Dr Balwinder Singh and Dr Brij Mohan Bhardwaj lead the tree walk, stopping for a while near each tree to share its story with the group. “Silver Oak is susceptible to termite… The flowers of Naag Champa tree have exquisite fragrance.”

Attempting to shed light on commonly-confused trees that have flowers of same colour, Dr Singh says not all trees with yellow flowers in bloom are Amaltas! Next on the itinerary is a tree with a wide canopy. “Sukhchain tree is a nice shady tree with medicinal properties. In the South, oil made from its seeds has been used to light diyas (lamps). Scientists are exploring its use for biodiesel production,” explains Dr Singh.

The Jackfruit (Kathal) tree bearing one of the largest edible fruits, the very useful Soapnut (Reetha) tree, Red Gulmohar that’s rightly called the ‘Flame of the Forest’, Australian Wattle, Queen’s Flower (Jarul) tree that has medicinal properties, Pine tree from which turpentine oil is obtained – the tree walk is packed with information. Mythological stories abound. Makhan Katori tree (a variety of Ficus) is an example of mutation stabilisation, says Dr Bhardwaj. It is believed that Lord Krishna used the leaves of a Ficus tree to make containers for holding butter. The leaves retained their cup-shape – hence the name ‘Makhan Katori’. Interestingly, if the seeds of ‘Makhan Katori’ are planted, a Banyan tree grows. Only through the grafting method can the ‘Makhan Katori’ trees be grown. The tree walk that covers around 50 trees of a variety of species takes nearly three hours, yet the group has not lost its appetite for more tree talk!