Common Name: Sissoo

General Information

Dalbergia sissoo is a deciduous medium-sized tree growing up to 30 metres tall[]. The bole is often crooked and branchless for up to 8 metres, occasionally for as much as 20 metres[].
A valuable timber in India, where it can fetch the same prices as teak[]. It is cultivated as a forest tree in southern Asia and tropical Africa, and for shade, windbreak, erosion control etc in some areas[]. The tree is often grown as an ornamental and street tree[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Asia - Oman, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, through the Indian subcontinent to Myanmar.

Habitat

Open deciduous forest, on alluvial soils which are periodically inundated and along rivers, up to elevations of 1,500 metres[]. It colonizes localities disturbed by flooding or erosion[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, it is adapted to a seasonal monsoon climate and a dry season of up to 6 months[]. It has been planted successfully in regions with 600 - 900 mm annual rainfall, which is too dry for most other timber species. However, for optimal growth more than 1,000 mm of annual rainfall is required[] and it can succeed in areas with 4,500mm[]. It is tolerant of some frost, surviving minimum temperatures of -4°c, and can also tolerate temperatures as high as 45°c[].
Prefers a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[]. Succeeds in poor soils[], but growth is retarded on badly drained or stony soils[]. Grows best in an acid to neutral soil[]. Succeeds in alkaline soils[]. Older trees are very drought-resistant and can withstand up to 9 dry months and mean annual rainfall of only 400 mm[].
The tree is very invasive, showing pioneer characteristics, and can become a serious weed, as has been the case in Australia[].
Seedlings and saplings have a strong taproot with numerous fibrous lateral roots, some of which may later develop into large superficial roots[].
Young trees may grow fast; under exceptional conditions, they may reach 3.7 metres in 1 year, as much as 11 metres in 5 years and 15 metres in 10 years, but more usually growth rates are 5 metres in 5 years, 10 metres in 10 years and 17 metres (with a mean bole diameter of 25 cm) in 20 years[].
Trees are often surrounded by numerous root suckers[]. It is a strong light demander and only vigorous trees attain larger sizes in dense stands, suppressing weaker trees[].
Trees may start flowering at an early age; in experimental plantations in Tanzania they started to flower 3 years after planting[].
Trees can be coppiced, although it has been observed that coppiced trees lose vigour after 2 - 3 rotations[].
Plants are not fire-resistant[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Powdered wood, leaves and seed oil are used in traditional medicine in India, especially to treat skin diseases[].

The leaves are reportedly used as a stimulant and to treat gonorrhoea and wounds[].

Ethanolic leaf extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, without side effects on gastric mucosa[].

The roots contain tectoridin, which is used medicinally[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Grown as a shade tree in agroforestry systems in India and Pakistan, for reforestation of eroded soils, and as a soil improver that fixes nitrogen and provides mulch[, ]. It is also planted as a windbreak and shelterbelt[, ].
Dalbergia sissoo has an unusual amenity use as a host for orchids[]. The sub-Himalayas, the homeland of D. Sissoo, abound with a variety of orchids, many of which are known throughout the world for their beauty[].

Other Uses

A non-drying oil which is suitable as a lubricant for heavy machinery can be obtained from the heartwood[].

The wood, roots and leaves have shown insecticidal activity[].

The seedpods contain 2% tannin[].

The twigs are used as toothbrushes and can kill infections in the mouth[].

The heartwood is golden brown to dark brown, often with deep brown streaks, and distinctly demarcated from the whitish to pale brown sapwood[]. The wood is hard, strong and elastic; the grain is straight, sometimes interlocked, texture moderately coarse[]. Once dry, the wood is very stable in service[].
It is fairly easy to saw and work. It can be planed to a smooth surface and takes an excellent polish. Turning, screwing, polishing and gluing give good results, and the wood can be peeled or sliced to make decorative veneer and plywood[]. The heartwood is durable, but the sapwood is liable to damage by insects and fungi[].
The wood is suitable for house construction, e.g. For door and window shutters and frames, flooring and panelling, and also for cabinet making, vehicle bodies, boat building, handles, implements such as shoe lasts, turnery, carving, veneer and plywood[]. It is excellent for high-class bentwood furniture, walking-sticks, umbrella handles and other bentwood articles[]. Pulp from the wood is suitable for papermaking[].
It is highly valued as firewood and for charcoal production[]. The energy value of the wood is about 21,800 kJ/kg[].

Propagation

Seed - usually the seeds are not extracted from the pods, but the pods are broken into 1-seeded pieces[]. Seeds have no dormancy, and the germination rate may be almost 100% when fresh seed from mature trees is used[]. Pre-treatment of seeds is not necessary, but soaking in water for 12 - 24 hours accelerates germination[]. Germination of fresh seed takes 7 - 21 days[]. Shading is recommended during the hottest hours of the day during the germination period[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
When stored dry or in a cold store, seeds remain viable for up to 1.5 years[]. Viability is maintained for 4 years in hermetic storage and 1 - 2 years when stored in airtight containers under dry, cool conditions[]
Root suckers and root and stem cuttings can also be used for propagation.

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