Bombax cieba Linn.

Bombax cieba Linn.

Family :

Silk Cotton Tree

English Name:

Silk Cotton Tree

Local Name :

Simal

Description :

he tree is native to Pakistan, India and Nepal. In Pakistan it in the sub-Himalayan tract from Hazara eastward. It is planted on the plains, in gardens and along roadsides. An intolerant tree that does not do well in shade. It grows on a variety of soils and sites; however, it grows best on deep alluvial soils that are well drained. It requires a precipitation zone of 750 to 1700 mm/yr or more. It prefers a sub-humid warm sub-tropical to tropical monsoon climate with a temperature range of 0 to 40°C at elevations up to 1000 m. It is in demand as a commercial timber tree. It can be planted on arid and semi-arid sites with irrigation.

Distribution :

he tree is native to Pakistan, India and Nepal. In Pakistan it in the sub-Himalayan tract from Hazara eastward. It is planted on the plains, in gardens and along roadsides. An intolerant tree that does not do well in shade. It grows on a variety of soils and sites; however, it grows best on deep alluvial soils that are well drained. It requires a precipitation zone of 750 to 1700 mm/yr or more. It prefers a sub-humid warm sub-tropical to tropical monsoon climate with a temperature range of 0 to 40°C at elevations up to 1000 m. It is in demand as a commercial timber tree. It can be planted on arid and semi-arid sites with irrigation.

Uses :

It is also an attractive ornamental. Farmers like it and in the past have used it extensively. An excellent farm forestry tree. Young trees will coppice. Also used as fuel, ornamental, furniture and carving, canoes, medicinal (bark and roots), cotton from seed for pillows and quilts, match sticks and packing cases.