1

Family

Rutaceae

2

Common/Tamil Name

Bael tree / Vilvam

3

Uses:

Fuel (Calorific Value)

Fodder

Other Uses

Wood is used for agricultural and other implements; fruits are used medicinally for dysentry and diarrhoea. Ripe fruit is sweet and generally used in the form of shurbat and marmalade. Stem yields a good gum.

4

Seed Collection time

January - July; October - November

5

No. of Seeds per kg

150 Nos /1 oz.

6

Viability

Very short and subjected to insect attacks. Should be used as soon as it is collected.

7

Seed Treatment

Remove the pulp and treat it with BHC 50%

8

Nursery Technique

Seeds devoid of pulp should be mixed with BHC 50%  and sown in the mother bed. Germination and development is very slow. Well grown small seedlings can be transplanted in the polypot. In 30 x 45 cm size bags seedlings grow 3 feet height in 6 months.

9

Temperature

Maximum shade temp. varies from 105° to over 115°F and absolute minimum temperature from 30° to 45°F.

10

Rainfall

From about 23 to 80 inches.

11

Soil

Stiffy clay, pure (or) mixed soil

12

Coppicing ability

Moderately well and produces root suckers in abundance.

13

Pest & Disease

Seeds are attacked by white ants and go bad (or) often destroyed by insects in the forest area.

14

Seed Source

Should be collected from the forests (or) from Shiva temples during fruiting seasons.

15

Special Features

It is one of the sacred trees of India.