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HERITAGE TREES THAT NEED CONSERVATION

A heritage tree is generally a large individual tree with unique value, which is considered irreplaceable. The
main criteria for considering a tree as heritage tree are its size, form, shape, age, colour and rarity. The
aesthetic, botanical, horticultural, ecological, social, cultural and historical values are also taken into account.
These trees take decades and centuries to mature and beautify the landscape. They act as prominent
landmarks of the place where they exist. A specimen associated with a historic person, place, event or period
is also treated as heritage tree. It may be a representative of a crop grown by ancestors and their successors
that is at risk of vanishing from cultivation. A heritage tree can also be a tree associated with local folklore,
myths, legends or traditions. Certain species that are relatively rare in an area, whether native or not, may also
be granted special status.

Considering the above factors into account, the society for Conservation of Nature (SOFCON) has identified
certain heritage trees in Trichy and Karur districts. The society stresses the needs for special law to be enacted
to impose restriction upon removal of these precious trees. With the rapid development of the state, there is a
great danger of losing the national heritage to urbanisation. The ecosystem services what these trees provide
such as shelter for wildlife, carbon sequestration, release of oxygen, shade, soil conservation, creation of
microclimate, eco-tourism, etc., are much more valuable. The heritage trees of Tamil Nadu can be performed
as an outreach ecology endeavour for conserving nature.

ARASA MARAM (FICUS RELIGIOSA) WITH A GIRTH OF 11.9 M (39 FEET), HEIGHT OF 21 M (69 FEET), ASSESSED
TO BE ABOUT 400 YEARS AT SEEGAMPATTI VILLAGE NEAR THUVARANKURICHI IN TRICHY DISTRICT

This is a large tree without aerial roots. This is a sacred tree for Hindus and Buddhists. Mostly this tree is widely
planted on village sites and near temples. The trade name is The Peepal tree. This is called Arasu in Tamil,
Arasu or Arei-al in Malayalam, Rai or Ragi in Telugu, Arali or Aroli or Asvatham in Kannada and Pipal in
Hindi. The scientific name is Ficus religiosa. This belongs to the family Moraceae. This tree is found growing
in areas with 500 mm annual rain fall. This is a deciduous tree, shedding the leaves at the commencement of
summer and attains new flush of leaves before the completion of the dry season. Since Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment under this tree, this is considered as a sacred tree by the Buddhists. The wood is used for
packing cases, fuel and charcoal. Elephants are fond of the bark and leaves. Lac can be cultivated on the bark.
The root, bark, leaf and seed are used for treating ulcers, diseases of pittam, constipation, cough, dyspnoea,
leucorrhoea, etc in Siddha. The bark, figs and latex are used for treating oedema, uterine disorders, thirst,
burning sensation and polyuria in Ayurveda. This tree is worshipped as Sthala Vriksham in about fifty temples
in Tamil Nadu. There are more than fifty villages named after this tree in our state. More than thirty villages
have been named after this tree all over India.
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UGA MARAM (SALVADORA PERSICA) WITH A GIRTH OF 4.6 M (15 FEET), HEIGHT OF 6.4 M (21 FEET), ASSESSED
TO BE ABOUT 300 YEARS OLD AT OMANDUR IN TRICHY DISTRICT

Salvadora persica is a large, well-branched and evergreen tree found in the dry and arid regions of India. This
belongs to the family Salvadoraceae. This is a well known chewing stick commonly known as miswak. This is
one of the most popular medicinal plants in the Indian subcontinent and in the Muslim world. This is used as
toothbrush for centuries. World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted its fibrous branches for oral
hygiene. The tree contains quite a good number of medical properties such as abrasives, antiseptics,
astringent, detergents and enzyme inhibitors. This is distributed in Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger,
Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania,
Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc. This is a small tree with crooked and soft whitish yellow trunk,
cracked bark and numerous drooping branches. The small branches and roots of this tree are used as chewing
sticks or natural tooth brushes that control tooth decay, plaque and gum disease. This was used by the ancient
Arabs to whiten and polish the teeth. The fresh tender leaves are eaten as salad in eastern Africa. The leaves
are said to have the medicinal properties of curing cough, asthma, scurvy, rheumatism and piles. Leaves are
used as an antidote to all kinds of poison in Punjab and are applied externally to treat rheumatism. The juice of
the leaves is said to cure scurvy. The leaves available during the dry season are consumed by goats and other
cattle. The flowers are greenish yellow in colour. Drupe is 3 mm in diameter, globose, smooth and becomes
red when ripe. The Fruits are sweet and edible. A fermented drink made from the fruits is used for treating
biliousness and rheumatism. In Sind region the fruits are used for treating snake bite. The decoction prepared
from the root bark is used in treating gonorrhea and amenorrhea. Stem bark is used for curing gastric troubles.
Seeds are used as purgative, diuretic and tonic. The seeds are used for making soap, illuminants, varnishes,
paints and in food industry. Seed oil is applied on the skin for treating rheumatism. As the seeds are rich in oil,
there is potential for making soaps, candles and can be used as a substitute for coconut oil. Though the wood
is soft and white, this is termite proof. The wood is used for making coffins and clubs. This is adapted to
alkaline or very saline soils. It prefers clayey soil and found on loams, black soils and sand. This is extremely
adapted to arid conditions, salt tolerant and drought resistant. This tree will produce many branches.

Fruits are small, round and of pea size with one seed per fruit. Seeds become pink or purple-red from white on
maturity and are transparent. As seeds are eaten by birds, animals and man, they are dispersed by them
easily. This plant is deep rooted xerophyte and highly salt tolerant. Pre-treatment is not required. The
seedlings can be raised through seeds. This can be grown through coppicing also. It is better to plant 3 year old
seedlings. Slow growing. This species regenerates easily by root suckers and natural layering. This has got the
potential of reclaiming saline soils. If branches are cut repeatedly, the short stems produced may be harvested
for tooth brushes.
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Besides its medicinal properties, this is more suitable as a wind break in agro forestry systems. Salvadora
persica is an evergreen tree found at an altitude of 1800 meters. This is found widely spread in arid regions,
saline areas, coastal areas, desert flood plains and savannahs. Riverbanks, periphery of waterholes, drainage
lines and seasonally wet sites are preferred by this plant. This has got a tolerance to a wide range of water, soil
and soil pH conditions and that is the reason for its widespread survival. The annual requirement of rainfall is
300-1000 mm. This can tolerate even a very dry environment with mean annual rainfall of less than 200 mm.
This has got the adaptability of growing in alkaline and saline soils. This plant can be raised as shelter belt and
serve as an effective windbreaker by protecting farm lands, gardens and orchards. This can further be used for
reclaiming sand dunes and saline soils.

Besides strengthening the gums and preventing tooth decay, this plant is said to sharpen the memory, curing
headaches, creating a glow on the face of the person who uses it continually, improving the eyesight and
clearing the voice. Though crude extracts from different parts of the plant have been used traditionally from
time immemorial for curing various ailments, modern medicines can be developed after scientific investigation
and after standardizing through clinical trials.

Studying this wonderful species may be of great interest and more valuable for the Plant Scientists, Botanists,
Research Scholars, Foresters, Naturalists and Student Community.

AYA MARAM (HOLOPTELIA INTEGRIFOLIA) WITH A GIRTH OF 6.2 M (20 FEET), HEIGHT OF 27 M (88 FEET) AND
ASSESSED TO BE ABOUT 200 YEARS OLD FOUND AT VALAYACHETTIPATTI NEAR KADAVUR IN KARUR DISTRICT

This is a large deciduous tree. Found in deciduous forests of north Circars, in hills of Deccan and on the slopes
of the Western Ghats. This belongs to the family Ulmaceae. The twigs and leaves give an offensive smell
when crushed. This tree is known as Aurie, Thavasi, Ari, Avali, Aya, Ayli, Avilthol, Poothigam or
Tambachi in Tamil; Aval in Malayalam; Thapasi in Telugu; Thavasi or Aval in Kannada and Papri in Hindi.
The wood is used for carving, carts, building, etc. The seeds yield yellow fatty oil. The leaves are lopped for
cattle fodder in north India. In Siddha medicine, the bark is used for treating diseases of vatham. In Ayurveda
medicine, the bark is used for curing tuberculosis, piles, fistula, abdominal diseases, leprosy, polyuria and
vomiting.
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AZHINJAL (ALANJIUM SALVIFOLIUM) WITH A GIRTH OF 3.96 M (13 FEET), HEIGHT OF 8 M (26 FEET), ASSESSED
TO BE ABOUT 250 YEARS FOUND IN VALAYACHETTIPATTI NEAR KADAVUR IN KARUR DISTRICT

This is a small deciduous tree with spinescent branches and pale brown bark. This is found growing in dry
regions and low hills all districts. The purplish-red berry is edible. This belongs to the family Araliaceae. This is
known as Alangi, Alingi, Nettilangi, Azhinjal or Acchan chedi in Tamil; Arinjil, Ankolam or Vallithondi in
Malayalam; Ankolamu, Udaga or Uduga in Telugu; Ankola in Kannada and Akola in Hindi. The wood is
used for pestles, rollers and ornamental works. This forms a good fuel. The seeds yield an oil. In Siddha
medicine, the bark and seed are used for treating diseases of vatham and kapham, leprosy, skin diseases,
poisoning, arthritis, urinary disorders, centipede poisoning and diseases of head. In Ayurvada medicine, the
root bark is used for curing diarrhoea, leprosy, fever and erysipelas.

MINNAI MARAM (PREMNA SERRATIFOLIA) WITH A GIRTH OF 3.96 M (13 FEET), HEIGHT OF 6.1 M (20 FEET)
AND ASSESSED TO BE ABOUT 300 YEARS OLD FOUND AT NALLAANDAVAR TEMPLE NEAR MANAPPARAI
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This is a small tree. The trunk and older branches are often spiny. This is found in almost all districts. This
belongs to the family Verbenaceae. This is known as Pay minnay Munnai or Minnai in Tamil and
Gadanelli in Telugu. The flowers are greenish-yellow or greenish-white. The fruits are small and globose. In
Siddha medicine, the root is used as stomachic, carminative, antiperiodic and tonic. In Ayurveda, the root, bark
and leaf are used for treating anaemia, oedema, anorexia, constipation, piles, cardiac diseases and polyuria.
This tree is worshipped as Sthala Vriksham in certain temples of Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu is known for many interesting trees remarkable for their spiritual, cultural, biological and historical
values. But no systematic study has been undertaken so far to identify and prepare a catalogue of these giant
and weird trees. In this scenario, a detailed study has to be undertaken to discover, identify, photograph and
document these ancient living monuments as they are our rich heritage. Besides the study, awareness
programmes have to be conducted among the villagers, school and college students and committees are to be
formed to protect these sacred heritage trees.

V.Sundararaju.I.F.S,

Former District Forest Officer,

Tamil Nadu, India.

Mail id: sundarifs.raju@gmail.com

www.sofcon.org

Mobile: 9443170366.