GARDEN LIFE
Space to branch out
Satish Narula

A leafless Dhek tree

I have often observed that scant provision is made for the potential spread and height of a tree. Nothing can be worse than a garden with trees that strangulate each other with their branches. The beauty of both trees is marred in the process. Unless trees are planted along a boundary or in a group, each tree should be given ample space to grow.

The trees commonly found in gardens are the Silver Oak, Ashoka (both pendula and spreading type) Amaltas, Kachnar and the like. Some people do, however, experiment with other varieties, like the Dhek tree that grows wild in the countryside. The tree in the accompanying picture stands in the garden of St Stephens’ in Sector 45, Chandigarh. Most people had advised that this ‘wild’ tree should be removed at the time of designing the garden but the move was resisted. Today, the tree is an asset to the garden.

During winter months, the tree sheds leaves and becomes laden with seed berries that hang like a bunch of grapes. The sight is spectacular. Even when the tree looks bare, the teachers of this school decorate its base with pebbles and marble chips, lending dynamism to the landscape.

Its newly sprouting light green leaves declare the onset of spring. During summer, the tree wears a thick, round canopy.

This feature was published on May 30, 2004