THE SAL TREE, Sakhua

                                                                    THE SAL TREE

The Sal tree,common tree in Jharkhand( known as Sakhua) whose scientific name is Shorea robusta is the tree of family Dipterocarpaceae.

The Sal tree covers all mountains and jungle in Jharkhand,means that mainly The Sal tree is known as jungle in Jharkhand.This tree is native to the Indian subcotinent which is ranging from South Himalaya,it extends from Assam,Bengal,Odisha and Jharkhand to Haryana,east of the Yamuna.

The Sal tree is also known as sakhua in many places,also in nothern India.It is mainly the state tree of Jharkhand and Chattisgarh.The Sal tree is moderate to slow growing and can be height of 30 to 35 m and a trunk of diameter of upto 2-2.5m.

In Hindu tradition,the sal tree is said to be favoured by Vishnu.

Its use:-

a.  It is one of the most important source of hardwood timber.This wood is used for constructing frames for doors and windows.

b. Its dry leaves are used for make papaer plates and paper bowl are called patri(in Jharkhand).

c. Its leaves is also used fresh to serve ready made paan.

d. In Nepal,its leaves are used to make local plates and vessels called "tapari". "doona", and "bogata"in which rice and curry is served.

e. Sal seeds and fruit are a source of lamp oil and vegetable fat.It is extracted from the seeds and used as cooking oil.