Native trees , preserves the Natural ecosystem. They adapt to local environmental conditions, requires less water helps reduce our pollution ,also saves our most valuable resource -water.
In order to celebrate the 80th birthdays of our beloved chairman Sri SV Balasubramaniam and our Trustee Sri NV Nagasubramaniam, 80 saplings were planted on Feb 8th at the Gandhi Memorial School, Coimbatore. The varieties of the trees chosen are of special significance because they are considered to be the favorites of Lord Murugan.
Marudham – Terminalia arjuna – Marudham tree is the sacred tree in the Dhandayuthapani temple at Marudhamalai in Coimbatore district. There are lots of references made to these trees in Ayurveda Great physicians like Vagbhatta and Chakradatta prescribed the same with various combinations. The bark is useful for preventing heart ailments. It’s good for people suffering from asthma and fractured bones get strengthened when it’s taken with honey. Dysentery is stopped by taking the decoction of the bark powder of maranatha. The tree has bunches of small flowers. As it’s an anti-microbial agent, it purifies the environment. The entire hillock of of Marudamalai is full of these trees.
Panneer Pushpam – Guetterda speciosa Panneer is very sacred to Lord Muruga in Thiruchendur temple. The white flowers bloom at night spreading its sweet fragrance all around. The flowers are also used for daily worship of the Lord. The tree has medicinal properties too.
Kadamba –The kadamba tree is a deciduous. lt grows tall with pale yellow flowers. The kadamba tree is the sthala vriksham of Pachamalai Subrainania temple in Gopichettipalayam . The fragrant orange fruits are edible and attract pollinators. The fresh leaves are fed to cattle. The timber is easy to work with and is used to make plywood and light construction. Kadamba flowers are an important raw material in the production of ‘Attar, which is an Indian perfume made with sandalwood bark. The dried bark of Kadamba is used to relieve fever, and is a tonic. The extract of the leaves selves as a mouth gargle.
Punnal tree – Calophyllum inophyllum – The punnai tree is the stala vriksham of Subramania Swamy temple at Mayilam in Cuddalore district. It’s an indigenous tree and its blooming denotes prosperity. The Gum extracted from the tree is used for the treatment of wounds and ulcers. An infusion of the gum, bark and leaves is used for sore eyes. Leaves are used for treating skin problems, the seed oil is used to soothe skin inflammation and insect bites.
Naval tree– Jamuns are low in calories, which makes them a perfectly healthy fruit. They also aid in digestion and promote natural bowel movement. Jamun juice minimizes the risk of liver disease and cancer. Naval or Jamun fruit is one of Lord Muruga’s favorite. Whoever can forget the ‘Sutta pazham ,Sudathatha pazham’ story between Muruga and saint Avaiyar.
Senbagam – Magnolia/ Michelia champaca -This tree is known for its fragrant flowers and its timber is used for wood work. Champa trees don’t get taller than 30 feet (9 mts). The orange/yellows flowers appear in summer. The fragrance from the tree blossoms is intense and it perfumes your entire garden. In fact, the flowers smell so lovely that it is used to make the most expensive perfume in the world.
Mahizham-Mimisopselanji– Mimisopselangy,is a medium evergreen tree found in tropical forests. Common names – Spanish cherry, Bullet wood, Bakula. Its timber is valuable; the fruit is edible and is used in traditional medicine. As the tree gives thick shade and flowers emit fragrance, it is a prized collection for gardens . Its flower is the provincial flower of Yala province. Bulletwood is an evergreen tree reaching a height of about 16 meters. It flowers in April and fruiting occurs in June. Leaves are glossy, dark green, oval shaped. Flowers are cream in colour, hairy and scented. The bark is thick and appears dark brownish black in colour. The bark, fruits and seeds of Mahilampoo tree are used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating dental ailments such as bleeding gums and loose teeth. The flowers are sun-dried and used to make floral infusions and as an addition to green tea in Assam. The crushed flowers are used to make a lotion which can be applied on wounds and ulcers. The edible fruit is softy furry and becomes smooth, bright red -orange when ripe The powder of the bark can be used as tooth powder for various tooth disorders. The decoction of bark if gargled can be helpful for swollen gums. The wood is a luxurious wood that is extremely hard, strong and tough and deep red in colour. It’s suitable for furniture and takes a beautiful polish.
– Ms Shantni Balu
