Pole planting to make instant trees in Goa

For those who lack the patience or know-how to grow a tree from seed, pole planting is the perfect shortcut
A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.
A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.Photo: Gomantak Times
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It is difficult to find someone who has not heard about ‘pole dancing’. But, I discovered that very few adults in Goa know about ‘pole planting’.

Although they would have seen huge trees that have emerged from the support poles of the Indian Tulip or bhenddi tree, Thespesia populnea, used to stake coconut trees on windy sea shores, they would not have registered what exactly had happened.

A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.
This tree looks stunning at this time of year in Goa

The rusty shield-bearer or copper pod tree, Peltophorum ferrugenium (syn Peltophorum pterocarpum), is another tree that is suitable for ‘pole planting’ to get instant trees.

 The word ‘ferrugenium’ literally means ‘producing iron’ and is a reference to the rusty brown new shoots that are different from the green shoots of gulmohur, Delonix regia.

The one- or two-seeded pods are a coppery red-brown and, hence, the name copper pod.

SUPPORTING ROLE: A  storm-staked pole tree.
SUPPORTING ROLE: A storm-staked pole tree.

These trees, with small tamarind-like leaflets, produce golden flowers for most part of the year. The ground below the tree has a carpet of golden flowers that are a sight to see from end February till the Mayflowers, or gulmohur, makes their appearance to paint the town red.

The gulmohur tree is also suitable for pole planting.

A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.
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The importance of tree architecture for a balanced canopy, especially in stormy weather, needs to be understood while pruning trees. This point was literally driven home in May, 2021 by the cyclone Tauktae that knocked down trees across Panjim.

TREE ARCHITECTURE

The importance of tree architecture for a balanced canopy, especially in stormy weather, needs to be understood while pruning trees. This point was literally driven home in May, 2021 by the cyclone Tauktae that knocked down trees across Panjim.

My visit to Japan exposed me to the very scientific pruning that Japanese municipal councils execute for roadside trees.

Chainsaws are used in Goa, but the tree architecture is rarely considered. The focus is almost entirely on removal of obstructing branches, and this often results in tree fall during the monsoons.

It is time to have a closer look at the pruning of trees.

A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.
Common roadside trees that you can expect to see in Goa

A ‘pole tree’ is the trunk or branch of a tree, normally between 2 and 5 metres long, which roots and sprouts to give an instant tree when planted in the ground.

Noted Goan horticulturist, Daniel D’Souza, has attempted to ensure the survival of almost an entire banyan tree that was recently translocated after chopping off the branches. It is to be seen if it can survive as well as a smaller pole.

Chainsaws are used in Goa, but the tree architecture is rarely considered. The focus is almost entirely on removal of obstructing branches, and this often results in tree fall during the monsoons.

WHAT’S TO LOVE ABOUT POLES

The planting of a pole instead of a seedling, has the advantage that it is less likely to be damaged by grazing animals.

The foliage is well beyond the reach of goats and sheep. If a taller pole is used, even cattle will not be able to reach the leaves.

In pole planting, the cut stems are planted in the ground up to the depth of the ground water to grow an instant shrub or tree.

A CUT ABOVE: Gulmohar is one of those trees which is suitable for pole planting.
This garden in Panjim is a breath of fresh air

All kinds of ‘Strangler Figs’ of the Ficus species like banyan tree, peepul, roomad, nunurki and Indian Rubber Tree; the copper pod and gulmohur, amaddo or hog plum, glyricidia and mulberry can be grown into pole trees.

It is important to remove most branches, keeping only those on the tip of the poles. Make sure to keep the collar intact because it will root from here. Pick a branch of a fallen tree and make your own ‘instant tree’.

(The author is the former Chairman of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, CEO of Planter's Choice Pvt Ltd, Additional Director of OFAI and Garden Superintendent of Goa University, and has edited 18 books for Goa & Konkan)

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