Green Matters
Line up the green goblins to welcome you
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A canopy of trees along the thoroughfares can usher in the much-needed green cover, writes Swathi.V
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- Photo: Shaju John
Dotting the way: Ornamental plants are more suitable for avenues than any other variety, say experts.
Times were when the twin cities would receive light showers every evening even during the harshest spell of summer. Obvious explanation for the phenomenon lay in the vast canopy of trees covering every inch of available space in the city. Unfortunately, it is not the situation anymore. With urbanisation expediting its tentacles, trees are fast vanishing into roads, ring roads, airports, apartments, flyovers and what not.
On the other hand, the ever-increasing traffic presents a difficult situation by adding to the levels of pollution at the same time necessitating removal of the tree cover for road- widening. The only way the city can be restored to its original glory is to grow ten trees for every tree cut down. What better way than going for avenue plantations to achieve this? The newly built colonies and townships in the city are keeping aesthetics as an integral part of designing. And even the most splendid concrete construction cannot match a welcoming line of trees on both sides of the way in amplifying the beauty of the surroundings. Avenue plantations also play a vital role in reducing the pollution levels. Apart from avenues, parks and private bungalows are other spaces that can be enriched through ornamental plants and trees. “Ornamental plants are more suitable for avenues because the fruit-bearing ones will attract monkeys and mischief mongers. Also, they spoil the cleanliness of the surroundings,” says M. M. Hussain (Ph: 9848024654), the Vice-Chairman of Hyderabad Nurseries Consortium and owner of Plants Land Nursery in Somajiguda. Avenue trees may be divided according to their size and also their growth orientation. There can be small, medium and big with subdivisions as straight-growing and shade-giving.
Growth potential
Smaller plants have a growth potential up to 18 feet and include all the Bauhinia varieties apart from Cassia fistula (golden shower), Cassia glauca, Bixa orreliana, Cordia sabestena, Erythrina blackii, Lagerstroemia thorelli, Laterstroemia flosreginae, Magnolia grandiflora, Royestinia regia (Royal Palm), Saraca indica (Asoka), Solanum macranthum (Brinjal), Tabebuia avellanedae, Thevetia peruviana (Yellow Oleander) and such. “Growth potential indicates the height of the tree when it is fully grown. Hence, it should not be mistaken to be the height of the plant when it is obtained from the nursery,” Mr. Hussain cautions.
A height of 18-30 feet may be termed as medium growth and such varieties include Aegle marmelos (Bael Patri), Alistonia scholaris (Devil’s Tree), Anthocephalus cadamba (Kadam), Butea frondosa (Flame of the Forest), Cassia grandis, Michalea champaca (Simhachalam Champa), Plumeria assorted(Temple Tree), Polyalthia longifolia (Asoka), and Salix babilonica (Weeping Willow) to name a few.
Larger trees that grow above 30 feet and up to 50 feet include varieties such as Azadirachta indica (Neem), Bombax ceiba (Silk Cotton Tree), Callestimon lanceolatus (Bottle Brush), Calophyllum inophyllum (Ponna), Couropita guinensis (Cannon Ball), Delonix regia (Gulmohar), Ficus benghalensis (Banyan), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Grevillea robusta (Silver Oak), Pterospermum acerifolium (Kanak Champa), Samanea saman (Rain Tree) and Spathodea companulata (Tulip Tree) . Most of the larger varieties offer shade while a few in Asoka and all of the bamboo varieties grow upright and form good avenues. “Almost all avenue plants are hardy varieties. One may select saplings with a height of 2.5 feet to 5 feet from nurseries for better survival,” said Mr. Hussain.
While planting, a pit of 8 cubic feet may be dug and a dash of pesticide sprinkled inside it. It may be filled with good compost that contains 60 per cent soft red soil and 40 per cent farmyard manure. The sapling has to be planted along with the earthen ball, without disturbing its roots. After that, the compost should be pressed using thumbs and forefingers so as to support the plant without stiffening the soil. If need be, the plant may be trained up a wooden stake. Watering once a day, loosening of soil once in every 15 days, and changing the compost in top layers once in every four months will take care of the plant for the rest of its life.
For better growth, NPK (19:19:19) in water-soluble form can be fed once in 10 days at the rate of four grams per litre of water.
Tree guards are a must to protect the tree from damage. Mild insecticide can be used in case of insect attack which is very rare.
Transplantation of any tree is not good once the tree reaches 30-40 years of age. Anyway, it is an expensive affair, with the cost factor equivalent to planting thousand saplings afresh.
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