Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth

Description :

A fast growing, deciduous tree 12 to 30 m tall. Diameters to 1 m have been recorded this crown is open, and umbrella-like. Foliage is feathery-like and the leaves are compound, Leaflets are small, 3 cm long. The bark is smooth, light yellowish or greenish grey. It peels in flakes which are red on the undersides. The fragrant flowers are yellow or greenish-yellow and occur in loose clusters, appearing between June and August. The pods are narrow flat and about 15 cm long. They are dark red brown when ripe. The pods mature in September. It can be reproduced both from seed and by vegetative means. Seed can be obtained from Bhagat reservoir plantation Changa Manga irrigated plantation and Jallo Park near Lahore. It is relatively fast growing. Yields of 10 m³/ha/yr, depending on the site, have been recorded for rotations of 30 years. Growth in irrigated plantations has been excellent. Grain is figured, coarse having Sapwood is whitish, heartwood is brown with streaks of darker and lighter color, which is Very strong and resilient with a specific gravity of 0.69 and a calorific value of 4800 kcal/kg.

Distribution :

This tree is native to central and southern India, Bangladesh and Burma. In Pakistan it has been planted in the Punjab and KP. An intolerant tree that grows on a variety of moist sites. It does well in low lying, moist savannas and tolerates saline and sodic conditions. It requires a summer precipitation zone of 500 to 1000 mm/yr. It prefers a sub-humid, warm, sub-tropical climate with a temperature range of 1 to 45°C and an elevation range of 0 to 1200m. Grazing can be a problem with this tree. Seedlings are susceptible to frost damage. In Pakistan it has no known pests or diseases.

Uses :

This tree is adapted to a variety of moist sites and soils. It is well suited to alkali soils. It coppices readily. It is a good nitrogen fixer. It could be a good tree for irrigated plantations. With care this would be a useful farm forestry tree. Young plants need protection from grazing and frost. It also has potential as a tree for saline, sodic sites. Can also be used for fodder, fuel, nitrogen fixing, poles and construction, agricultural implements, shade, furniture, tannin, and apiculture.