Chhattisgarh’s official tree is the sal tree. Sal trees are scientifically known as Shorea robusta. Their bark is longitudinally furrowed, and branchlets are pubescent, and they can grow up to 40 metres tall. Festivals and marriages of the tribals are deeply rooted in the sal tree. According to tribal belief, marriage is incomplete and meaningless without the bridegroom sitting on the sal tree altar.
There are several acids present in the pulp of sal fruit, including sugar, gum, malic, citric, and tartaric acids. There are many veterinary medicines that use Sal as a vaccine or medicine for respiratory conditions. Approximately 66% of the sal fruit is kernel and pod, while 33% is shell and calyx.
In addition to being astringent and bitter in taste (Rasa), it has a pungent flavour after digestion (Vipaka), and also a cool effect (Virya). This herb belongs to the Sheet Virya family. In working with Pitta (Bile) and Vata (Wind), Sheet Virya balances them as well as increasing Kapha (Mucus). In addition to giving nourishment to the body, the Sheet Virya herb is also a stabilising herb. Body fluids are built with their help.
See also: Know everything about the Kadamba tree
Sal tree: Quick facts
| Common Name | Sal, shala, sakura |
| Biological Name | Shorea robusta |
| Type | Evergreen tree |
| Mature Size | Growing to 40 m (131ft) |
| Cultivation | Indian subcontinent |
| Uses | Wrapping tobacco |
Sal tree: Physical description
Sal can reach a height of 30 metres. The leaves are leathery and yellowish in colour. The flowers are yellowish and have a tough texture. When trees are young, their crowns are linear, but with age, they become rounder and flatter. The sapwood turns dark brown to black in colour, is thicker, and is less durable than the heartwood.
Sal tree: Propagation
In artificial germination, seeds are collected immediately after falling to ensure that they germinate soon after falling. Sal seeds don’t maintain their viability for long; hence, it is necessary to collect fresh seeds and sow them immediately.
When seedlings are raised in nurseries, they are transplanted when they are 1-3 years old. The seedlings are planted 1.5 metres apart. The plants are separated by 3-4 metres and thinned out when they reach 3-4 metres in length.
Crop rotation: In plantations, rotation is practised at an interval of 80 years after a tree matures, as a tree matures after 50 years.
Sal tree: Maintenance
Temperatures of all types can be used to grow it, and most of its propagation is done by cuttings.
In dry conditions, it sheds its leaves between February and March. New leaves appear in April and May on Sal trees that require well-drained, moist, sandy loam soil.
Summer is when the flowers mature into fruit, and June-July is when the seeds ripen.
As far as climate and temperature are concerned, it can tolerate some frost and grows in temperatures as high as 44-47 degrees Celsius during summer.
In general, the best soils for Sal are moisture-rich deep sandy loams with good subsoil drainage, and bouldery or gravelly soils subtend extensive Sal forests. Trees with stunted growth are caused by excessive clay in the subsoil.
Sal tree: Uses
- The timber value of the Sal wood is high, and bark is used for tanning.
- An oleoresin called ‘Sal Dammar’ is produced from the Sal tree that can be used for caulking boats, as well as making incense and paint.
- Carbon papers and ribbons are made from it, and it is widely used for hardening soft waxes.
- Occasionally, tribes use its leaves for wrapping tobacco.
- It is the most suitable wood for construction. Bridge beams, pilings, copings, railings, doors, window posts, cart bodies, and especially railway sleepers are made of it.
- Agricultural implements, tent pegs, liquid storage vats, poles, rafters, pit props, carriages and wagons, wheels, tent pegs, and fuel are all in high demand.
Significance of Sal tree in Indian mythology
The Sal tree finds frequent mentions in Hindu, Buddha and Jain mythologies. While is it believed that Lord Vishnu, in his Vaman avatar, resided under a Sal tree, it is also established that Buddha was born under a Sal tree. Linked with longevity, growth and strength, the tree wood is often used in sacred rituals in all the three religions.
Medicinal properties of Sal tree bark
Sal tree bark is frequently used in traditional medicine because it is believed to have the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Wound healing properties
Analgesic
Anti-diarrheal
Anti-cancer
Anti-pyretic
Role of Sal tree in promoting biodiversity
The Sal tree promotes biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife, conserving soil, producing oxygen, offering medicinal properties and providing valuable timber.
FAQs
Is there a state tree of Chhattisgarh?
Yes, Sal is the state tree of Chhattisgarh.
What is the reason for the Sal tree being so special?
There is a belief that Sal is the House of the Tribal Goddess and is regarded as a sacred tree.
What are the uses of the Sal tree?
There are a variety of treatments that use the bark and leaves of the plant, including leprosy, wounds, ulcers, coughs, gonorrhoea, headaches, diarrhoea, and vaginal discharge.
What is the most common location for Sal trees?
The Sal is limited to the lower Himalayas, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh.
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