Everything About Chinar Trees

Here is Everything About Chinar Trees; the living, radiant red heritage of the Kashmir valley in the below article in detail!

Chinar (Platanus orientalis) is a deciduous tree that belongs to the cold regions of the world, mainly in the Kashmir valley of India. Their real beauty unfurls in fall when the foliage turns to a blood-red and mauve color. The leaves eventually turn yellow and amber. The name ‘Chinar‘ comes from the Persian word, which means-‘What a fire.’ Here is Everything About Chinar Trees you need to know!

Check out our article on growing Aspen trees here!

Origin of Chinar Trees

Some believe the trees are native to Greece, while others consider they are home in the Oriental planes or the eastern part of the world. They are mainly found in India, Pakistan, Eurasia, China, and Balkans.

Note: The chinar trees were brought to the beautiful valley of Kashmir from Persia by then Mughal Emperor of India, Jalal Uddin Akbar.

To know about some interesting, fun facts about trees, click here! 

Climate for the Growth of Chinar Trees

Being a deciduous tree, the chinar sheds its leaves once in a year. It grows in moderate weather, with warm summer and cold winters, in rich, fertile soil, under full sunlight. After attaining maturity, it can survive droughts very well.

Chinar tree grows quite big and has a long life; the oldest chinar tree was planted by Sufi Saint Syed Qasim Shah, some 700 years ago, in Budgam district of central Kashmir.

Propagating Chinar Trees

You can propagate chinar plants from seeds. Sow the seeds in spring, under the light shade, and when the seedlings grow up to 3-5 inches long, transfer them into a separate pot, placing it in the greenhouse for first winters.

Note: You can grow chinar trees from cuttings, layering or seeds.

Container Size

Grow chinar plants in large pots, 18-24 inches in diameter. Use well-drained soil and directly sow several seeds in every pot to increase the chances of germination. Cover the seeds properly with soil after planting. Once they germinate, save the healthy ones and let them grow. You can also buy a tree from a nearby nursery and plant it in a container.

How to Grow Chinar Trees in Pots

Location

The chinar tree thrives well in full to partial sun. So, grow the plant in a location that receives good air circulation. If you are growing oriental plane in the pot, place it at a location that receives 6-8 hours of direct or dappled sunlight.

Soil

Use rich, moist, fertile, and well-drained soil to grow chinar trees. They flourish in alkaline or acidic soil.

Watering

Mature chinar trees are drought-tolerant, though you need to water the plant in its growth years, frequently, once a day, and maintain the moisture of the soil.

Tip: Water the plant once a week during fall.

Pests and Diseases

They are susceptible to many conditions that can affect their health. Canker stain and stem canker can harm the tree. Similarly, in the damp or wet climate, anthracnose can thrive in them. Lace bugs can also interrupt their growth.

Note: If you live in the region that experiences warm summers, the tree is going to do exceptionally well.

Check out our article on growing Pecan trees here! 

Uses and Benefits of Chinar Trees

All parts of the tree are useful and serve significant purposes.

• The twigs and barks have extensive uses in making fabric dyes.
• The timber, which is also known as lacewood, is popular in making furniture.
• Leaves and bark of the tree have multiple uses in the preparation of medicines for several diseases.
• As they have big leaves, it is the most preferred choice when it comes to leaf artists.
• The leaves are also used in the making of cream to cure wounds and treat ophthalmia.
• Its bark has uses in the treatment of toothache, dysentery, hernia, and diarrhea.

Saving Chinar Trees

As there are a few places in the world where you can find them, it becomes imperative that proper care is taken while maintaining and conserving the tree. The tree is only native to places like Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Eurasia, China, India, and Pakistan. However, as it is getting degrading in numbers, the environmentalists and ecologists are taking necessary measures to preserve it.

This majestic tree holds significant importance in the hands of time. The trinkets of dust this tree carries in its conscience, engulfs the very significance people celebrate it for; the celestial dust of which is impossible to cool down!