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Tree Planting Guidelines

Tree Planting Guidelines

Native trees suitable for planting along avenues and for urban forestry

Sl. No.BinomialLocal NameRemarks
Small Roads (Less than 7 m width road) 
 
1Putranjiva roxburghii Wall (Euphorbiaceae)PutranjeeviEvergreen hardy tree with drooping branches; suitable for coastal and inland areas
2Bauhinia tomentosa L. (Caesalpiniaceae)IruvatchiHardy species with yellow flower 
 
3Bauhinia purpurea L. (Caesalpiniaceae)MantharaiAn elegant tree with pink flowers.
4Ixora pavetta Andr.(Rubiaceae)Chulundu, Koraan, Korivi,Hardy species with white fragrant flowers
Medium Roads (Between 7m to 12 m) 
 
5Bauhinia purpurea L. (Caesalpiniaceae)MantharaiAn elegant tree with pink flowers.
6Crataeva adansonii DC. subsp. odora (Buch. - Ham.) Jacobs (Capparidaceae)MavalingamHandsome flowering tree with green coloured flowers. Flowers twice a year. Grows in arid conditions. Medicine Fruits edible.
7Lagerstroemia reginae Roxb. (Lythraceae)Poo MaruthuAttractive pink flowers. 
 
8Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde (Caesalpiniaceae)Asoka, AsokamSlow growing. Grows in semi-shaded areas.
9Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae)Natvadumai, Naattu Badaam 
 
Suitable for coastal and inland areas 
 
10Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland ex Correa (Malvaceae)Poovarasu 




 
Evergreen foliage tree with beautiful yellow flowers good for seashores as well as inlands. Salt and wind resistant.
11Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae)Pungai tree 



 
Attractive shiny foliage; provides good shades, seeds a source of bio-diesel. 
 
12Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Clusiaceae)Punnai 


 
Suitable for seashores; religious importance; oil source. 
 
13Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. (Barringtoniaceae) 
 
Neer kadambu, Sengadambu 


 
Suitable for planting in coastal areas and inland areas 

 
14Cassia fistulaSarkondrai 
Large Roads (More than 12 m) 
 
15Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. Ex DC) Wight & Arn (Combretaceae)Vellai marudhu, Neer MarudhuTree with smooth white trunk 
 
16Mimusops elengi L. (Sapotaceae)MagizhamEvergreen foliage; flowers fragrant; religious importance; suitable for Coastal and inland areas
17Dalbergia lanceolaria L. (Fabaceae)Erigei, NalvellanguTree with spreading crown, suitable for planting on wide roads.
18Albizia lebbeck (L.) Willd. (Mimosaceae)VaagaiDrought resistance tree 
 
19Albizia odoratissima (L.f.) Benth. (Mimosaceae)KaruvaagaiDeciduous, hardy, suitable for dry areas
20Bauhinia racemosa Lam. (Caesalpiniaceae)Aathi, AarHardy tree; suitable for dry areas 
 
21Diospyros ebenum Koen. (Ebenaceae)KarungaliEvergreen tree, hardy; suitable for coastal and fry regions
22Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae)Vellai Nuna, NoniEvergreen tree, highly suitable for coastal areas; fruits are source for the health drink ‘ Noni’
23 
 
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) 
Roxb.(Combretaceae)
Thani, ThandriSlow growing hardy tree.
24Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Fabaceae) (Barringtoniaceae) 
 
Porasu, MurukkuSlow growing, attractive orange yellow flowers
25Mimusops elengi L. (Sapotaceae)MagizhamEvergreen foliage; flowers fragrant; religious importance; suitable for Coastal and inland areas
26Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn. (Barringtoniaceae)Neer kadambu, SengadambuSuitable for planting in coastal areas and inland areas

In Parks

1Borassus flabellifer L. (Arecaceae)PanaiHardy draught and wind resistant species; highly suitable for coastal areas
2Delonix elata (L.) Gamble (Caesalpiniaceae)Vaadhanarayanan, VaadhamadakkiEasily propagated through cuttings, medicinal