Nature Diary
Chinar tree of Kashmir
(Platanus orientalis)

This tree is one of the most beautiful, turning red-gold in autumn.  Platanus orientalis, the Old World sycamore or Oriental plane, is a large, deciduous tree growing to 30 m or more. It is known for its longevity and spreading crown. In autumn its deep green leaves may change to blood red, amber, and yellow.
The tree is found naturally in riverine settings, together with such trees as alder, willow and poplar. However, it is quite capable of survival and success in dry soils once it is established. It can grow into a massive tree and live many hundreds of years.  Around ten trees are known from the past and present with a diameter of 4 m or more. This means even two people together will not be able to embrace it all around its trunk. As a very large and wide tree with broad, thick leaves that tend to orient horizontally, it is especially prized for the shade and coolness it provides during the hot season. It grows best in rich soil in a sunny location and can survive drought well.
The leaves and bark have been used medicinally. A fabric dye has been made from the twigs and roots. The timber, often called lacewood, is figured and valuable for indoor furniture. The leaves are also often used by artists for leaf carving.
Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, is full of these chinar trees. The University of Kashmir in Srinagar is famous for its massive chinar trees, as is the Dal Lake nearby. Naseem Bagh a Mughal garden near Srinagar with over 700 chinar trees has been developed as a Chinar Heritage Park by the University of Kashmir.

After the advent of Muslim rule, especially under the Mughals, Chinar became a major garden and landscape tree, and dominates many historic gardens. It is a living heritage of Kashmir. It is seen as a symbol for the region.
As autumn, the golden yellow season of Kashmir, draws to a close, the majestic chinar trees are at their fiery best. Their crimson coloured leaves - so rightly dubbed 'flames of the chinar' - lend a fairytale glow to the scenic valley. From green to yellow through crimson before they fall to the ground, the leaves of the chinar trees have fired many an imagination for prose and verse.