28 May 2020

Glorious Gulmohor (ThursdayTreeLove)

May is peak summer in Pune. 
Its also the time for the May Flower! 
Its blossoms have a soothing effect despite the brilliant red... a colour that is usually associated with heat.

This is a beautiful Gulmohor tree growing on my regular walk route. Here it is..


From a distance.. looks like the rising Sun on the horizon!


Walking closer to the tree

Overlooking its huge canopy

Brilliant 
Another view


Beautiful Flowers
Gulmohor belongs to the Caesalpiniaceae family and is known all over the world by its botanical name of Delonix regia. The tree is an exotic species in India but is very common in all over the country especially as an avenue tree. It has a shallow root system which means trees tend to fall after a spell of heavy rains.

Some objections to this species (as its not indigenous) is that our birds do not nest on it; birds, insects and animals do not eat its fruit or nectar as food. 
However I feel that its foliage gives us much needed oxygen and cooling shade. 

What do you think? 

Either way, May is the most glorious month for the Gulmohor! 

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in! 

22 comments:

Mali said...

That is stunning! I love the way you gradually unveiled it in the photos. And I think exotics have their place - as long as they aren't replacing natives on a large scale. (Natives vs exotics are a major issue here in NZ too.)

Teresa said...

Oh wow, that tree is gorgeous.

Regards, Teresa
https://mywanderings.travel.blog/

Dr Genevive Angela said...

Wow what a great click, I am happy to see it from various angles, thanks for sharing these brilliant photos.

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

Wow, glorious tree.

Shilpa Nairy said...

Wow! I loved the closure shot. So huge and broad canopy.

Archana said...

@Mali Thank you so much! Its the way the tree appeared before me and I thought it best to post images in the same order! :-)

Archana said...

@Teresa Indeed it is!! Thanks for stopping by!

Archana said...

Thank you so much @Angela :-)

Archana said...

@linsartyblobs Thanks a lot!!

Archana said...

@Shilpa I am so glad you loved this tree! Thank you!! :-)

Pradeep Nair said...

Wow! What a sight! Great landscape and equally good photos!
Gulmohar is such a majestic tree. And you have given some interesting information.
These plants and trees are all needed for sustaining our lives, aren't they?

Archana said...

@Pradeep Nair You have hit the nail on the head! Thanks for sharing stopping by! :-)

Parul said...

Stunning shots and the tree looks majestic. I am slightly surprised on the fact about the tree not providing home to birds. I have this tree right infront of my balcony and the birds I see here are just all so beautiful. I don't know whether they live on the tree on not but many beautiful ones visit all through the day.
Thank you Archana for bringing this to us. It's lovely! See you tomorrow.

Alana said...

In the Northeast United States we are strugging against an invasive tree called the Chinese Sumac, or Tree of Heaven. It is nowhere near as pretty as the Gulmohor (which is not hardy where I live, alas). We also have a shrub/small tree invasive called the Russian Olive. Not all exotics are invasive but when they take habitat away from native species, that's where I draw the line. The fact that birds will not nest in these trees is a concern to me.

Archana said...

@Parul.. Thank you!! I have seen birds perch on this tree but never nesting. Maybe its an local phenomenon.. Yes, I will join at the next TTL edition!! :-)

Archana said...

@Alana The exotic/native debate will rage on.. I find convincing points on both sides but then one cannot just cut down a healthy exotic tree... Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! ;-)

JoAnna said...

It's a beautiful tree! I love the umbrella-like canopy and how you brought us on a little hike up the hill to see it from different perspectives. I suspect it might be a strong and resilient tree since it seem to flourish where there are not many other trees.

Archana said...

@JoAnna Thank you so much! I wanted to share how the tree appears to some one walking towards it. It grows behind a small hillock at the edge of a deep quarry. Yes, it must be a strong and resilient one to have survived in these conditions!!

Priya said...

Gulmohur blooms are something i look forward to each year! The beauty makes summer so much more bearable :)
I did not know the fact that birds do not nest or insects dont feed on the nectar!
Loved reading this post Archana... and the pictures are amazing!!

Archana said...

@Priya Thank you so much!! :-) In Pune, I have rarely seen bird nests on the Gulmohor. They do perch on this species though.. I love the Gulmohor especially in full bloom.

Anonymous said...

Awesome photo
Orange red color is mind blowing
All trees bloom in an sequential order
It indicates the coming season and Gulmohar may be indicator of coming monsoon. Gr8 click Archana

Archana said...

Thanks!! The photo doesn't do justice to the colour. Yes, nature has its own way of conveying upcoming seasons!