Lecture -2
Shisham, Sissoo, Tali (Dalbergia sissoo)
(SAF-123)
KRISHAN CHAND
SCIENTIST (AGROFORESTRY)
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry
DR YS PARMAR UNIVERSITY OF HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY NAUNI–
SOLAN (H.P.)
Distribution
It occurs very well distributed all over the sub-Himalayan tract. Shisham grows in a
gregarious form on new alluvial deposits or on low banks formed of deposits of sand. It also
comes up fairly well on boulders, gravels etc.
1) 1) Associates : Very often, Shisham occurs mixed with Khair (Acacia catechu); Tamarix
dioca etc. In the sub-motane tract of the western Himalaya; Saccharum munja grass colonizes
large stretches of sandy/ shingly alluvium which is devoid of any vegetation.
Other associate include :
Ehretia laevis, Lannea grandis, Kydia calycina, and Premna latifolia
2) Climate : The following are ideal climate conditions :
Temperature : Maxi. 250C to 350C
Mini 50C to 100C
Rainfall : 80 cm. to 300 cm.
II – Penology
1) General Description : Shisham is a large deciduous tree gaining a height of nearly 30
m. Under favourable conditions. The crown is light and spreading. The bole is somewhat
crooked with numerous fissures in the bark.
2) Roots : The roots are dimorphous, comprising of bud less nutrition root penetrating
downwards into the soil; and long horizontal roots with buds which produce root suckers. A long
taproot is produced by the seedling in an early stage.
3) Leaf fall : Leaf fall commences in November and is complete by the end of
December or early January.
4) Leaf- Renewal : The new leaf begins to appear in February.
IV – Silvicultural Characters
1) Shisham is a strong light demander
2) Frost : It is a frost hardy species
3) Drought : Shisham is fairly resistant to drought in its native state. Seedlings are drought
sensitive.
4) Animal Damage : It is readily browsed by cattle, goats and camels.
5) Root suckers : Regeneration is prolific by root suckers, which are produced in
abundance.
6) Coppicing Power : Shisham is a fairly good coppice. Numerous coppice shoots are
produced from stools.
IV – Natural Regeneration
Pods are disseminated by wind in the riverine tracts. Seed dispersal may also take place
by water along streams/rivers. Germinations takes place during the monsoon months.
V – Artificial Regeneration
Artificial regeneration of Shisham may take place by the following modes –
1) Direct Sowing : Direct sowings are done just before the onset of the monsoon rains.
Line sowing in lines 2 m. Apart is generally done.
2) Planting : Seedlings are raised in the nursery and when they are 9 to 12 months old; are
planted in the area to be regenerated, either with a ball of earth or naked root. Spacing
adopted may be 2.5 m. to 2.5 m.
3) Stump Planting : In certain parts of U.P., West Bengal etc. stump planting is carried out
in order to raise forests and avenues of Shisham.
4) Root Suckers : Shisham produces root suckers in abundance and these are used for
artificial regeneration. Felling the tree at ground level and exposing the roots, leads to
the production of root suckers.
VI – Management and Silvicultural Systems
Irrigated plantations of Punjab and Haryana are worked under the coppice with standard
system.
The selection method with certain modifications, has to be adopted for the management
of Shisham in areas where it occurs in a scattered form. Regeneration is generally obtained by
artificial methods.
VII – Utilization
The heartwood is of brown colour with darker streaks. It is very hard, strong and durable
and is used for making furniture, carts, carriages, agricultural implements, gun carriage wheel
and general carpentry etc.
