Tree that arrests erosion

Amarjeet Singh Batth

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A highly useful tree with medicinal, agro-forestry and commercial importance Albizzia lebbeck, commonly called Siris / Sharinh / Parrot Tree belongs to the Fabaceae family and gives yellow blooms during April – August. At this point of time only its conspicuous dry pods are seen hanging on the tree which rattle as the wind blows.

Albizia lebbeck is a very fast-growing woody deciduous tree with an open, large, spreading crown; it usually reaches a height of 15-20 meters. The bark is fissured and the leaves are petiolate with a large gland at the base, compound and evenly bipinnate. Leaflets are 1-4 pairs, each pinna with 6–18 leaflets, sub-sessile, oblique 2-5 cm long. The inflorescence has flowers arranged in heads which are short stalked forming short terminal racemes or panicles.

Flowers are actinomorphic, complete bisexual and fragrant. Calyx consists of five sepals which are gamosepalous and corolla comprises of five petals which are gamopetalous. Stamens are numerous. Gynoecium is monocarpellary, unilocular, with superior ovary. Fruit is a long, thin, flat pod. 

Things to remember

Where to plant: It is not used in urban landscape design. However, in rural area it is a common road side tree primarily planted for dense shade and various other utilities. This tree can be often found in the sprawling lawns of old establishments, forest land and education institutes and cantonments. It is also a plant of choice of farmers in their fields.

When to plant: It can be easily propagated with seed by boiling these for three minutes at fifty degree temperature. The best time to plant it is immediately after the winters and during rainy season. A simple pit is dug to lower the soil ball of the plant. Water it immediately and thereafter the moisture level should be maintained for a few months by then the plant is established in the ground.

Care and Upkeep: It requires little care except deep irrigation and pruning to keep it in good shape. The plants have brittle limbs which break off in high winds. The root system is shallow though wide-spreading but does not support during storms and at windy positions. There is no prominent threat of disease and pest attack,

Importance: In South India, the tree is known as ‘vaagai’, means ‘victory’ in Tamil. The ancient kings of the Sangam Age use to make garlands of its flowers and wear these whenever they won battles.

Apart from its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, its shade is also used to provide cover for coffee and cocoa plantations apart from yielding valuable timber and fuel. Due to its shallow root system it acts as soil binder and is generally planted along river embankments for erosion control. Commercial uses include production of ethanol, dye and gum. The dried bark is use to make soaps.