Economic Importance of Xylia xylocarpa

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Xylia
Species: X. xylocarpa
Common name:  Jambu, irul, pyinkado
Origin:  India

Description:  Medium to large deciduous tree. Leaves with one pair of pinnae at the end of common petioles, leaflets2-6 pair, oblong acuminate. Flowers pale- yellow wetly scented in long pedunculate globose heads. Seeds ovoid, compressed, brown, smooth and polished.

Economic Importance:

• The wood is difficult to season and is prone to surface cracking, splitting and warping. It is an extremely durable wood. It is a heavy constructional timber for railway sleepers, bridges, piles, girders, and decking, mine work and pit- props, wagon floor boards and general utility work. It is also used for making agricultural implements, boat-building and tool handles. Locally, it is used in house construction work for posts, beams and rafters, fence posts etc.
• A good substitute for sal and Teak for beams, house construction.
• Wood lasts well under water, it yields material for pulp.
• It is largely used for fuel and manufacture of charcoal.
• Decoction of bark given in gonorrhoea and diarrhoea; also used to stop vomiting and as a vermifuge. Fruits yield fatty oil. Leaves used as manure.