1. Basic Information
- Common Name: Sal Tree
- Scientific Name: Shorea robusta
- Local Names:
- Bengali: শাল (Shal)
- Hindi: साल
- Sanskrit: शाल (Shaala)
- Family: Dipterocarpaceae (a group of tropical trees)
2. Where Does It Grow Best?
- Best Places in West Bengal: Found in forests of Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, Burdwan, Birbhum, Midnapore, and North Bengal.
- Soil Type: Grows well in sandy or loamy soil; can also grow in lateritic soil.
- Water Needs: Needs moderate water; grows best in areas with 1,000-2,000 mm of rain per year.
- Sunlight: Needs full sunlight and open space to grow.
- Weather Suitability: Grows well in warm and humid weather; can survive dry seasons once mature.
3. How to Plant & Take Care of Saplings
- Best Time to Plant: Monsoon season (June-August) helps saplings grow best.
- How to Plant:
- From Seeds: Fresh seeds should be planted within 2-3 weeks after collection.
- From Saplings: You can plant nursery-grown saplings (6-12 months old) in your garden or field.
- Watering:
- Water regularly for the first 2 years, especially in summer.
- Once grown, the tree needs very little water.
- Mulching & Fertilizing:
- Cover the soil with dry leaves or mulch to keep moisture.
- Use compost or cow dung manure every 6 months for better growth.
- Common Pests & How to Stop Them:
- Termites: Use neem oil or natural pesticides.
- Fungal Infections: Sprinkle wood ash or use Trichoderma powder to keep the tree healthy.
4. Growth & How Long It Lives
- Growth Speed: Medium; Has a moderate growth rate, typically growing about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) per year under natural conditions. In well-maintained plantations with proper care, it may grow slightly faster. It takes 3-5 years to establish itself and around 30-50 years to reach full maturity.
- When Does It Become Strong on Its Own? After 3-5 years.
- Lifespan & Care: Can live over 100 years with very little maintenance. Just trim dead branches when needed.
- Height: Grows up to 30-40 meters (98-131 feet) tall in natural forests. However, in home gardens or controlled plantations, it usually reaches 15-25 meters (49-82 feet) depending on soil and climatic conditions.
5. Why Is the Sal Tree Important?
- Helps Nature & Wildlife:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Provides shelter for birds and small animals.
- Cleans the Air: Each tree absorbs around 22-25 kg of carbon dioxide per year.
- Traditional & Medicinal Uses:
- Considered a sacred tree in Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Used in Ayurveda for healing wounds, reducing swelling, and aiding digestion.
- Its wood is strong and used for building houses and furniture.
6. How Can You Help?
- Where to Get Saplings?
- Nurseries run by the West Bengal Forest Department
- Contact Smell of Soil
- Private nurseries that sell native tree saplings.
- Best Ways to Plant More Trees:
- Plant them in groups to create a small forest.
- Spread awareness about why Sal trees are important.
- Success Stories:
- Sal tree planting projects in Jhargram and Bankura have improved the environment and helped local communities.