Lannea coromandelica – Indian Ash Tree, Wodier Tree, Jhingan, Moi Tree, Bhadi

Description

Lannea coromandelica is a striking deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its robust growth and wide, spreading canopy. Reaching heights of 15 to 20 meters, it features a thick, stout trunk covered in grayish bark that peels off in attractive rounded flakes. The foliage consists of long, pinnate green leaves that provide excellent shade during the warmer months before turning beautiful shades of yellow and dropping in the dry season. Its strong architectural presence makes it a highly favored choice for avenue planting and large landscape projects.

The tree puts on a unique floral display by blooming vigorously while it is completely leafless. It produces long, dense clusters of tiny, star-shaped yellowish-green flowers that attract numerous pollinators to the garden. These blooms give way to small, fleshy red to purplish-black fruits, each containing a single hard seed. Beyond its ornamental value as a shade tree, the wood is commercially useful for carving, furniture making, and crafting, while the tree also produces a valuable natural gum widely used in paper sizing and printing processes.

Indian Ash thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and is highly adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions. It performs beautifully in full sun and will grow in almost any well-drained soil, including poor or rocky substrates. The tree is remarkably drought tolerant once fully established, requiring only moderate watering during its initial growth phases. Because it is fast-growing and resilient, it is an excellent option for reforestation efforts, boundary marking, and providing quick, reliable shade in sunny outdoor spaces.