In a bid to start supplying smart trees for the smart city, the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), has started identifying suitable species of trees to plant along streets and avenues. This comes just when the state government announces the planting of 68 lakh tree saplings to celebrate the chief minister's 68th birthday.
The institute is trying to come up with a list of tree species that can be used for urban development and beautification. "We are looking at native tree species, that have aesthetic appeal, are sturdy enough to withstand reasonably heavy winds and rains, provide good shade, that do not require much water or maintenance and support fauna," said principal scientist at IFGTB, A Nicodemus. "We want these trees to constantly attract birds, bees and insects to support fauna," he said.
Some of the trees identified to fit the above conditions include the Cadamba tree, Vaagai and the Poovarasan tree. "All the above trees produce beautiful big flowers, have sturdy barks, provide good shade and do not require much watering," said Nicodemus.
The next line of trees identified, are the Punga or the silver fern tree, Neem trees and Kondrai or Golden Shower tree. "These species unfortunately become leafless for two months a year, during which time they would not be able to provide shade," said president of Osai, K Kalidasan.
Scientists say they are avoiding fruit trees like tamarind or monkey pod trees. "If they produce and drop pulpy fruits, they will get run-over by vehicles, forming a sticky layer on the road surface," said Nicodemus.
Presently, a majority of the avenue trees in cities like Coimbatore and Chennai, are indigenous species like Gulmohar, rain tree or money pod and copper pod. "These trees grow extremely fast but are not sturdy," said Kalidasan. "Most of the trees that fall down during rains are indigenous species," he said.
Tree conservationists say that the civic body and district administration should consult research institutes like IFGTB before procuring the saplings from the forest academy's nurseries.
"Such mass planting initiatives could be more inclusive," said Shobha Menon of Nizhal, a Chennai-based NGO. A committee consisting of concerned members of the public, botany experts and NGO representatives could jointly plan, with inputs from the community, locations suitable for planting, a reasonable planting target and suitable species.
IFGTB will pass on their suggestions and newly grown saplings to the forest academy's nurseries.