Pungam

TREE SPECIES

Pungam

COMMON NAME: Pungam

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pungamia pinnata

FAMILY: Fabaceae

ORIGIN: Australia

HEIGHT: Up to 25 meters

PROPAGATION: Pungam is easily propagated by seeds and stem cutting

ROTATION: Grown in 30 years rotations for fuel wood

SPACING: 2 x3 m (or) 3x3 m for block planting 6 x 8 m for avenue planting and on field borders.

  • Wood is not considered as a quality timber.
  • It is used for cabinet making, cart wheels, agricultural implements, and tool handles.
  • The leaves contain 18% crude protein and is eaten by cattle and goats. Oil is used as fuel for cooking and lamps and also as a bio-diesel.
  • The oil cake is used in poultry feed. Dried leaves are used as an insect repellent in stored grains.
  • Watering - In dry localities watering during the summer months for the first two years will give high survival percentage and good growth.
  • Tending operation - Weeding around the plant for the first three years will ensure good growth. As avenue or garden tree pruning have to be done to get a proper bole.