The murdered tree

Namaste!

Every morning during the last ten years I used to have my cup of coffee looking through the kitchen's window. There was a big beautiful tree in some distance from my house. At summer it was a pleasure to feast my eyes upon its green crown; at winter time when there was no leaves it was interesting to watch different birds who liked to  have a rest on its big branches. Thanks to this tree I have seen a cuckoo, a black  kite and even parrots. How many years it's taken the tree to grow that large? And now, a man with an ax came, one hour - and there is no tree anymore. I wonder why cutting down a tree is not considered a murder? The tree was alive, it had started to turn green after winter and then THE MAN came and took its life. And why? Just because some big ass didn't like it to be there anymore. Maybe it stood in his view or maybe its shade took too much light. Or maybe he plans to built just another ugly building in its place. And I will have to stare on its ugly grey concrete walls every morning. I am so upset.

Bamboo, the wonder tree

Namaste!

Here and there in Kathmandu you can see small bamboo groves. They look beautiful and interesting, and add greenery and charm to the streets of the town. Here in Nepal bamboo is used for scaffolding, some garden furniture and Nepalese traditional basket doko is made of it as well.

Bamboo is an amazing plant. Young shoots of a giant bamboo grow 90 cm in 24 hours. This growth rate is hundreds of times faster than many other plants. The bamboo has hollow stems which look like fat green spears when they first erupt out of the ground. As the stem reaches about 15m things start to slow down. The new stem sprouts side-branches with leaves and gradually turns hard and golden brown. These mature stems are as tough as tree trunks but are hollow and surprisingly light.

The blooming trees of the Kathmandu valley

The most beautiful time of the year in the Kathmandu valley is April-May. Not only numerous flowers are in bloom but many trees, big and small, are also blossoming. One of my favourites - jacaranda. Its violet flowers cover the whole tree.

Rhododendron - the national flower of Nepal

Namaste!

The beauty of the flowering rhododendrons draws thousands of trekkers to Nepal every year. The name rhododendron is derived from the Greek words rhodos (meaning rose) and dendron (meaning tree). There are over 1000 natural species of rhododendron including many bushy species and a number of trees that grow to heights of up to 30 meters. The highest species diversity is found in the Himalaya. Of the over 30 species of rhododendron in Nepal the most renowned is Rhododendron arboretum known as Gurans in Nepali. Starting at elevations of around 1400m the flowers are a vibrant red. However as altitude increases the colour begins shifting to pink, gradually becoming pure white at elevations of 3600m. For Nepalis the most beloved of the tree rhododendron is the Lali Gurans or red one. It is the national flower of Nepal.

The sacred Pipal

Pipal, or the sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) is one of the most revered trees in Hinduism. According to legend it was under it, that the Buddha attained enlightenment in contemplation and meditation, so this tree is sacred to Buddhists too. And though the leaves of the tree can serve as food for the elephants, the trunk and the branches can not be used as fuel, and to cut Pipal is the gravest sin. There is often a lingam or a small temple dedicated to Vishnu or Krishna at the roots Pipal. On Sundays and during the wedding ceremonies believers lay offerings under the tree - rice, flowers, incense sticks. In North India Pipal is honored during each full moon. The ritual is intended to bring love and happiness, to protect women from widowhood - it is believed that on certain days the goddess Lakshmi dwells in the tree.

Often you can see the leaves of Pipal hanging from the doors or the windows to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

Pipal is one of the most long-lived trees. Ayurveda  widely uses its bark, leaves, roots and fruits, all of which have medicinal value.

Amazing trees of Nepal

There are so many different trees in Nepal. Some are very high and big, some bloom with beautiful flowers, some are just unusual in shape, some are very thick. I never get bored to discover new and new trees here.