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Trees are the backbone of a lawn
A tree is the backbone of any garden. All other features in a garden are more or less temporary but a tree often occupies a permanent place. The trees in a garden are selected on the basis of purpose, for example for shade, fragrance or flowers, or to line a driveway or avenue. In the home garden, however, the tendency is to accommodate as many fruit trees as possible. Sometimes, out of overenthusiasm, more than the desired number of tree saplings is planted, with the result that when it is time to bear fruit their limbs are strangulated by adjoining trees, causing peripheral barrenness. We will take this up some other time, this week let’s focus on some of the non-fruit bearing trees. In the category of
shade-giving trees, a favourite is the moulsari. This ancient
evergreen tree with dense foliage is grown for its disciplined canopy.
It forms a true umbrella shape. It is, therefore, a natural choice for
places where big garden parties are held. It is also an excellent
specimen tree. This tree is also most suitable for lining an avenue.
Those who have a park in front of their houses can grow it outside too
as it is shady and clean, ideal for parking a vehicle under it. The
tree bears fragrant white flowers in clusters. Even the berries are
yellowish orange and attractive. |
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I do not, however, wish to dwell on the medicinal value of the trees as in my opinion it is a disservice to horticulture. If you want to make a species extinct, proclaim its medicinal value and the masses will make a beeline for it. Take the examples of the majestic Arjuna or the delicious and densely leaved jamun tree. The indiscriminate removal of bark is causing the slow and sure death of trees. There are examples galore of leaf and limb removal from trees. This feature was published on September 22, 2002 |