Pyrus pashia Ham. Ex D. Don.

Description :

A small to medium size deciduous tree 6 to 10 m tall with diameters of 50 cm. The crown is small and oval shaped. The leaves are simple, 5 to 10 cm long. The white flowers grow in bunches or groups and bloom between March and May. The fruit is 1 to 3 cm in diameter and matures from May to December. The fruit and leaves are susceptible to a "scab" infection. Once planted it will spread rapidly by means of root sprouts. It is reproduced both from seed and by vegetative means. Seed stored under refrigerated conditions will remain viable for to 3 years. Diameter growth of 30 cm in 8 years has been recorded. Grains are very fine, straight and even textured. Wood is hard, heavy and strong having light, reddish brown color sapwood with specific gravity of 0.70.

Distribution :

The tree is native to the Himalayas of Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal. In Pakistan it occurs in Azad Kashmir, Hazara, Murree, Hills, Chitral and Swat. A tolerant tree that grows on sandy loam soil that is well drained. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 750 to 1500 mm/yr or more in a temperature range of -10 to 35°C. It prefers humid to sub-humid cool sub-tropical monsoon climate.

Uses :

This tree has the potential to control erosion on steep hill sides in addition to providing a fruit crop. Also used as fuel, agriculture implements, root stock for grafting, erosion control, food (fruit), and fodder.