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sal tree

Scientific Name: Shorea robusta

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Shorea robusta: The Mighty Sal Tree

The Shorea robusta, commonly known as the Sal tree, and also referred to as sakhua or shala, is a significant tree species with a rich history and diverse uses.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions that the Sal tree yields dammar resin. Resins may pose a risk if ingested by pets, depending on the quantity and individual animal sensitivities.

Considerations for Children

  • The Sala tree fruit pulp is mentioned as containing sugar, gum, and malic, citric, and tartaric acids. Children may be tempted to consume the fruit pulp.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Shorea robusta
  • Common Names: Sal tree, sakhua, shala tree, Cannonball tree, Ayauma tree
  • Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Distribution and Habitat

  • The Sal tree is indigenous to India and found throughout the Indian Subcontinent and Central Nepal.
  • It thrives in tropical deciduous forests.
  • While not its natural habitat, there have been plans to re-introduce Sal trees in Delhi.

Morphological Characteristics

  • The Sal tree is a large, deciduous tree, typically reaching heights of 30-35 meters but can exceptionally grow up to 50 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 2-2.5 meters.
  • Young trees have smooth bark.
  • It can be described as a moderate to slow-growing tree.
  • Its leaves are green, and flowers are yellow or off-white.

Ecological Role

  • The text mentions an instance of a borer affecting over 3.5 million Sal trees.
  • The infection spreads from diseased trees to healthy trees via root grafting.

Traditional Uses and Cultural Significance

  • In India, the Sal tree is considered sacred and holds special religious significance in Hindu tradition, where it is favored by Vishnu. The name "shala," "shaal," or "sal" comes from Sanskrit, meaning "house."
  • In Buddhist tradition, it is said that Queen M?y? of Sakya gave birth to Gautama Buddha under a Sal tree.
  • It also holds significance in Ayurveda as Shala, used medicinally for various purposes, including treating non-healing wounds, diabetes, and deafness.
  • The tree provides timber, fuelwood, and fodder.

Uses

  • The Shorea robusta seed oil is an edible oil extracted from the seeds.
  • It provides very good quality timber.
  • Sal wood is straight and cylindrical.
  • Leaves are used for making hats.
  • The Sal tree yields dammar resin.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Sal trees are susceptible to damage from insects, specifically borers.

Chemical Constituents

  • The resin of the Sal Tree has an oleoresin, which contains triterpenoids, the derivatives of ursonic, oleanane and a triterpene acid.

Quirky Facts

  • When the Buddha arrived in Kusinara and lay down between two Sal trees, they burst into flower out of season and sprinkled their petals over him.