Botanical Name - Dalbergia sissoo

----- D. sissoo, Roxb. ; F.B.I. II-231. Brandi's Ind. Trees, 233. Gamble's Ind. Timbers. Vern. Sissu, Hind.

----- A large deciduous tree. Bark grey, exfoliating in narrow longitudinal strips. Leaflets 3-7, alternate, broadly elliptic, orbicular or elliptic-obovate, obtuse, sometimes emarginate, 1-3 in. long ; rachis zig-zag, 1 1/2-4 in. long. Panicles much shorter than the leaves. Flowers white, 1/4 in. long. Calyx downy, 1/8 in. Standard with a long claw. Stamens 9. Ovary glabrous ; style slender, nearly as long as ovary ; stigma large. Pod thin, strap-shaped, pale-brown, glabrous, 1 1/2-4 by 1/4-1 in., 1-4-seeded.

----- Not indigenous, but frequently planted on road sides and in compounds, also on the platforms and many of the station-yards on the C.S. Railway. Wood very hard, close-grained ; sap-wood small, white ; heart-wood brown, with darker longitudinal veins ; weight 45 lbs. per c. ft. It is very durable, seasons well, does not warp or split and is highly esteemed for all purposes where strength and elasticity are required. It can be grown easily from sowings in situ, transplanting or stumps planting. This species is being extensively tried in the afforestation works of Mahratwada side.