Family: Calophyllaceae
Common names: Tamanu, Indian laurel, Oil nut, Mastwood, Alexandrian laurel, Sultan Champa, Beach calophyllum, Beach touriga, Beautyleaf, Balltree, Borneo-mahogany, Domba oil tree, Indian domba oiltree, Oilnut tree, Laurelwood, Red poon, Satin touriga, Tacamahac-tree, Punna, Honne, Huhonne, Undi, Pinnay, Punnagam
Tamanu is a large tropical tree valued for its timber, rich ornamental foliage, and the oil obtained from the seeds. They are native to East Africa, Australia, few Southeast Asian countries and they’re very commonly seen in Southern Coastal India.
Tree characteristics
Tamanu trees can grow quite tall, reaching a height of 15 to 20 m with a dense canopy formed of well-branched stems. Their dense, branched crown and large leaves make them a good shade tree for urban areas.
The trunk of the Tamanu Tree is mostly upright, sometimes crooked, and exudes a sticky yellow latex when cut or bruised.
Leaves are one of the most distinguishing features of the Tamanu tree since they are broad, elliptic or oblong, and dark glossy green. These leaves are thick and leathery with prominent veins arranged very close to each other in a beautiful pattern.
These beautiful glossy green leaves that almost look like they’re made of plastic, make the tree look beautiful throughout the year, even when they are not flowering.
Tamanu trees produce small, white, fragrant flowers, during two distinct flowering periods, one from April to June and then in the fall from October to December. Flowers are produced in clusters of 10 to 15 and they have a sweet fragrance that attracts many insects to it.
Each flower is 2 to 3 cm in diameter and has beautiful white waxy petals and a thick tuft of yellow stamens at the center.
Fruits of the Tamanun tree are rounded and smooth, about 3 to 4 cm in diameter. They are dark green when they are small, turning yellow and then brown as they mature, with wrinkly skin.
Each fruit contains a single seed that is used in propagation, as well as in the production of a commercially viable oil called Tamanu oil.
Gardening Tips
are Tamanu trees are slow growing with rounded foliage, an ideal shade tree for home gardens, parks, or roadsides. They need good sunlight and thrive in tropical weather having good humidity and rainfall.
Tamanu trees are quite sturdy and can grow in a variety of soil conditions, even in poor, undernourished soil. Watering and fertilization are needed only when the tree is small, and during peak summer when the leaves transpire more.
Pruning can be done to keep the tree, bushy and well-rounded. Their thick leather leaves make the trees reasonably resistant to pests.
Tamanu tree’s beautiful, dark, green foliage and fragrant flowers make them ideal for home gardens, especially for amateur gardeners who do not have much time to look after their gardens.
Uses of Tamanu Tree
Tamanu trees are grown as ornamentals for their beautiful foliage and flowers. The oil obtained from the seed is edible, and is also used in making soaps, moisturizers, and other cosmetics.
Parts of the plant have been used in traditional, herbal medicine in the treatment of skin diseases, inflammations, ulcers, boils, psoriasis, wounds, cuts, insect bites, eye diseases, dysentery migraine, vertigo, ringworms, and a range of other ailments.
When planted very close to each other, these trees can act as hedges or windbreakers because of their thick abundant foliage. The wood of the tree is very strong and is used in making cabinets, flooring, stairs, musical instruments, small boats, and other carpentry products.
The leaves and fruits have insecticidal properties and are hence used as mosquito repellents.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, grafting, or air layering.
Mature seeds taken from the fruits can be dried and soaked in water for a day before they are planted in moist soil to germinate.
Grafting or budding involves placing a bud or a small stem of a tree on a viable rootstock to enable faster growth, and to retain the characteristics of the parent tree
Photographed at: Vasanth Nagar area, Bangalore
