Pongamia / Indian Beech Tree

Pongamia, also known as the Indian Beech tree, is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree that is native to India and other parts of Southeast Asia. The tree can reach a height of up to 25 meters, with a straight trunk and a broad, spreading crown. The leaves are dark green, leathery and pinnate, and the tree produces small, fragrant white or pale pink flowers that are followed by hard, woody pods containing seeds. The seeds of the pongamia tree are highly valued for their oil, which is used in the manufacture of soaps, candles, varnishes, and other industrial products. The oil is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including skin diseases, rheumatism, and respiratory infections. Pongamia is often planted as a shade tree, windbreak, or for soil conservation and land reclamation, as it has a deep, extensive root system that can help stabilize slopes and prevent erosion. In addition, the tree's ability to fix nitrogen can improve soil fertility and benefit other crops grown in rotation with it.