Chinar Tree

Chinar Tree Latest News

The iconic Chinar trees in Kashmir have been geo-tagged and equipped with QR-code for digital protection of the Valley’s heritage tree.

Chinar Tree Overview

• Scientific name: Platanus orientalis.
• Other names: It is also known as Oriental plane tree, maple tree and locally it is called Boueen.

Chinar Tree Features

• It is a large, well spreading deciduous tree growing up to a height of 30 meters and girth of 10 to 15 meters at ground level.
• It is said that the oldest Chinar tree in Kashmir, around 700 years old, was planted by the Sufi Saint Syed Qasim Shah in Chattergam, in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
• It takes around 30 to 50 years for the trees to reach their mature height and around 150 years for them to grow to their full size.

Chinar Tree Habitat

Chinar trees characteristically grow in Eastern Himalayas. It spreads wide across a region of cool climate with sufficient water.

Chinar Tree Uniqueness

The Chinar tree’s leaves change colors with the seasons, transforming from deep green in summer to vibrant shades of red, amber, and yellow in autumn.

Chinar Tree Uses

The tree has several properties – leaves and bark are used as medicine, the wood, known as lace wood, is used for delicate interior furniture and the twigs & roots are used for making dyes.

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Key Facts about the Geotagging of Chinar

• Under the geo-tagging process, QR codes are attached to each surveyed tree, recording information about 25 characteristics, including its geographical location, health, age, and growing patterns, enabling conservationists to track changes and address risk factors.
• The project, spearheaded by J&K Forest Research Institute (FRI) of J&K Forest Department involves geo-tagging and QR coding of Chinar trees to enable their monitoring and management.

Chinar Tree FAQs

Q1: What is Chinar tree called in English?

Ans: The Chinar, the Oriental (Eastern) Plane tree, Platanus orientalis, or Buen and Booyn in Kashmiri language, is a living heritage of Kashmir.

Q2: Why is Chinar tree famous?

Ans: The Chinar tree is a pride of Kashmir. This tree is known for its longevity and can be found throughout Kashmir.

Q3: What are the benefits of Chinar tree?

Ans: Its bark has antirheumatic and antiscorbutic values.

Q4: What is the lifespan of a Chinar tree?

Ans: It is known for its longevity of close to 700 years.

Q5: Who introduced the Chinar tree in Kashmir Wikipedia?

Ans: Muslim Kashmiris believe that the chinar was brought to Kashmir valley by Islamic preachers from Iran in 14th century AD.