Common Names: Oriental plane; locally known as ‘Boueen’.
Key Features: A large, deciduous tree reaching heights of 30 meters. It is slow-growing, taking approximately 150 years to achieve its full size.
Habitat: Characteristically found in the Eastern Himalayas, requiring cool climates with ample water.
Unique Characteristic: Known for its leaves, which transition from deep green in summer to vibrant red, amber, and yellow in autumn.
Uses: The tree is highly valued. Its leaves and bark possess medicinal properties; its wood (lace wood) is used in furniture; and its roots and twigs yield dyes.
Conservation (Geotagging): The J&K Forest Research Institute (FRI) is implementing a geotagging project. QR codes are affixed to trees to record data (location, health, age) for effective monitoring, management, and conservation.
