Bagan Shirish (Albizia Procera)

Local Indian Name: Bagan Shirish, Safed Siris, White Siris

Scientific Name: Albizia procera

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Category: Timber and Medicinal Tree

Subcategory: Fast-growing, Nitrogen-fixing, Agroforestry Tree

Native Region: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia

Introduction:

Bagan Shirish (Albizia procera) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree known for its high-quality timber, medicinal properties, and nitrogen-fixing ability. It is commonly planted in agroforestry systems, roadside plantations, and reforestation programs due to its rapid growth and environmental benefits. The tree is widely used in traditional medicine and is valued for shade and soil improvement.

Importance & Benefits:

Economic Importance:

• High-value timber used in furniture, construction, and plywood industries.
• Used for fuelwood and charcoal production.
• Its bark, leaves, and pods are used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Medicinal Importance:

• Anti-inflammatory & Antipyretic: Used to treat fever, joint pain, and swelling.
• Antioxidant & Antimicrobial: Helps in wound healing and prevents infections.
• Digestive Health: Bark extracts are used for stomach disorders and ulcers.

Environmental Benefits:

• Nitrogen-fixing tree that improves soil fertility.
• Used in erosion control and reforestation programs.
• Provides shade and shelter for birds and wildlife.

Description and Cultivation:

Bagan Shirish is a medium to large deciduous tree, growing up to 20–30 meters in height. It has a straight trunk, spreading canopy, and feathery compound leaves. The tree produces small, fragrant yellowish-white flowers, followed by flat, brown seed pods.

Varieties and Cultivars:

• Wild Type: Found naturally in forests.
• Cultivated Varieties: Improved strains for timber and agroforestry.

Location and Light:

• Thrives in full sunlight (at least 6–8 hours daily).
• Prefers warm tropical and subtropical climates.

Soil Preparation:

• Grows in well-drained sandy loam, clay loam, and lateritic soils.
• Tolerates poor, degraded, and saline soils.
• Soil pH range: 5.5–8.5.

Planting:

• Best planted during the monsoon season (June–August).
• Spacing: 4m × 4m for agroforestry, 5m × 5m for timber plantations.
• Propagated through seeds and stem cuttings.

Watering:

• Requires regular watering in the first 2–3 years.
• Becomes drought-resistant once established.
• Avoid waterlogging to prevent root diseases.

Pruning:

• Light pruning to maintain a straight trunk for timber use.
• Removal of weak, diseased, or damaged branches.

Pest and Disease Management:

Common Pests:

• Defoliators (caterpillars)
• Bark borers
• Aphids

Common Diseases:

• Leaf Spot: Treated with neem oil or organic fungicides.
• Root Rot: Avoid excess watering.
• Powdery Mildew: Controlled with sulfur-based fungicides.

Environmental Conditions:

• Temperature: 20–40°C
• Humidity: 50–85%
• Rainfall: 750–2500 mm annually

Propagation:

• Seeds: Germinate within 2–4 weeks.
• Stem Cuttings: Used for faster establishment.
• Tissue Culture: Rare but useful for large-scale plantations.

Uses:

Timber Uses:

• Used in furniture, construction, and boat-making.
• Suitable for poles, railway sleepers, and fence posts.

Medicinal Uses:

• Bark Decoction: Used for treating fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
• Leaf Extract: Used for wound healing and anti-inflammatory purposes.
• Seed & Pod Extract: Helps in digestive disorders and liver ailments.

Agroforestry & Environmental Uses:

• Grown as a shade tree in plantations.
• Helps in soil reclamation and erosion control.
• Improves soil fertility by nitrogen fixation.

Monetary Benefits:

• Timber fetches ₹800–₹2000 per cubic foot in the market.
• A mature tree (10–12 years old) can yield ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 in timber value.
• Bark and leaves are sold for Ayurvedic formulations at ₹100–₹500 per kg.

• Used in silvopastoral systems to generate additional income from livestock grazing.