More on Trees

A Miscellany of Trees

2. Cork tree: A fast-growing tree, called Kattumalli in Tamil, the cork tree with the botanical name of Millingtonia hortensis, gets its name from the fact that its fissured bark is used as an inferior substitute for cork. It is one of the more common trees in Chennai; indeed, there are three or four of them in my compound at Anna Nagar. A reasonably tall tree, it grows almost straight, with relatively few branches. A peculiar feature of this tree is that its roots bear buds that grow into new saplings which, if well bathed in Sun, grow into new trees. One can see numerous saplings around a parent tree, often as far away as 50-60 feet, testifying to the fact that the tree has a large spread of its roots underground. These trees fall an easy prey to gusts of wind, obviously because the roots do not grow deep.

From April until rains and then again in November and December, the tree bears a profusion of Silvery-white, delightfully fragrant flowers. The flowers have a long tube at the top of which are four milk-white petals, one of which is clefted. The flowers tend to fall as soon as they open, with the result that the ground underneath gets carpeted with them. That is when they are gathered by the devout as it is believed that the Gods who received the offering bestow benefits of various kinds.

No wonder, you see these trees in temple yards...

As a young boy, I knew many who could generate whistling sounds by blowing into the long petal tube through the opening at its lower end. Regretfully, I must confess that try as hard as I could, I was unable to accomplish the feat.

3. Vilvam

Botanically known as Aegle marmelos, the Vilvam is especially used for worshipping Lord Siva. Like the God, like the tree. The tree looks anstere and stern. Not large in size, the Vilvam has trifoliate leaves: the three leaflets, Siva's devotees aver that they represent the three eyes of Lord Siva. A peculiar feature of the leaves is that they stay fresh for long periods, though of course, an occasional sprinkle of water helps. Popularly called Bel tree, you'll find it mentioned in Atharvana Veda. Obviously, the tree is a native of India. Its fruit is useful in digestive ailments. A sherbat made from Bel fruit is a good appetizer. The pulp of the fruit is an excellent curative for diarrhoea.

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The Bel tree is not as common in Chennai as in the villages of India. However, you do see a bel tree in the courtyards of Chennai's Siva temples. There is a bel tree in the compound of 12, Masilamani Street, T. Nagar but sadly, none seem to care: You see it as a struggling, struggling tree rather than one that is carefully tended.