General Information :

• It is a very large deciduous tree with straight cylindrical stem.
• Leaves are bright red in color
• Bark thin and light grey in color.
• Flowers are dull red and densely arranged.
• Fruits are thin, dark brown in color
• Seed slightly lens shaped, brown in color

 

Distribution :

• Indigenous to Western Ghats and abundant in Southern India

Habitat : Tropical Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forest

Soil : Red, Red Sandy Loam, Red loamy, Black Soil, Coastal Alluvium and Alluvium soil

Altitude :Up to 1200 m (MSL)

Rainfall :1200 - 2000 mm

Temperature : 35°C to 42.5°C

Terrain : Planis / Hilly

Tree Characteristics :

• Moderately light demander and sensitive to frost.

Habit : Deciduous Tree

Natural Regeneration :

• Regeneration is naturally moderate.

 

Artificial Regeneration :

• It can be established by direct sowing and nursery raised seedlings.

Seed collection and Storage :

• The tree seeds every year
• Seed ripens in April - June.
• Pods are collected off the tree and dried in sun and split open to separate seeds.
• Properly cleaned seeds are stored in gunny bags for 19 months.
• Germination percent 50-75 %. 
• Weight of seeds 27000 – 32000/kg 

 

Seed Treatment :

• Hot water treatment for 10 minutes.

 

Nursery Technique :

• The seeds are sown in mother bed
• Beds are wattered regulary
• Germination starts in 7 days
• Germination percentage is 50-75 %.
• Two leaf stage seedlings are transferred to polybags of size 13 cm x 25 cm

Plantation technique :

Nursery raised Seedlings :

• Seedlings planted on the onset of monsoon rains and gives better results than direct sowing.
• The 30 cm3 pits at a spacing of 3m x 3m are prepared in advance to allow weathering of soil. 

Care & Disease Control :

• After one month of planting weeding and Soil working around the plant should be carried out.
• Regular irrigation in initial days of plantation, then it can be reduced to fortnights.

Recommended Harvest :

• 10 – 15 years

Yield :

• Approximately 135 - 150 tons/ ha *

*Subject to varry according to site factors.

Agro Forestory :

• Ideal as a shade tree on tea and coffee plantations.

Major uses :

• Fodder: The foliage can be used as fodder.
• Apiculture: It is a good source of nectar and good bee forage.
• Timber: The wood is used for interior trim, paneling, furniture and cabinet work.

SERVICES

• Erosion control: A. fraxinifolius has been recommended for reinforcing riverbanks and stabilizing terraces.
• Shade or shelter: Ideal as a shade tree on tea and coffee plantations and planted as wind breaks.
• Reclamation: Very good for reforestation of open areas.
• Soil improver: Leaves are suitable for mulching.

Market details :

• Approximately Rs.2200 to Rs.2500 /ton *

* Subjected to Change according to market demands