Forestry and Plant Sciences

Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the Judas tree or Judas-tree, is a small deciduous tree from Southern Europe and Western Asia which is noted for its prolific display of deep pink flowers in spring. This species forms a small tree up to 12 m (39 ft) in height and 10 m (32 ft) in width. The deep pink flowers are produced on year-old or older growth, including the trunk, in spring. Also, the flowers display a blossom with five free petals and fused sepals. This shape is specific to the Fabaceae. The leaves appear shortly after the first flowers emerge. These are cordate with a blunt apex, which occasionally has a shallow notch at the tip. The tree produces long flat pods that hang vertically. The flowers are edible and purportedly have a sweet-acid taste. There is a belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a tree of this species. Another possible source for the vernacular name is the fact that the flowers and seed pods can dangle direct from the trunk in a way reminiscent of Judas's possible method of suicide.

Aschynomene is a genus belonging to the family Fabaceae. The used part of Aschynomene is the wood of the stem (often mistaken as pith). The woods of Aschynomene species is one of the lightest woods in the world. The wood feels like a piece of thermacol or even lighter than the cork. The wood is bright-white to off-white in colour.

Forest are classified into Reserved Forest, a Protected Forest or a Village Forest according to Forest Act of 1878. Land rights on reserved forests and protected forests are given according to the orders passed by government.

The main difference between these two are that reserved forests activities like hunting, grazing etc. are totally banned. Reserved forests may be upgraded to the status of wild life sanctuary and then to National Park.

In protected areas activities like hunting, grazing etc. are permitted to the local communities.  

All the forests and wastelands other than the reserved and protected forests are considered unclassed forests. Most of the forests in the north-eastern states of India and Gujarat are unclassed forests            

Strangler plants begin as epiphytes in the canopy and grow roots down to the ground, eventually encircling and often killing the host tree. Lianas are woody vines, while parasites and saprophytes have different nutritional strategies.

Deadwood is dry and burns more easily than other types of wood, making it ideal for starting and maintaining a fire.

Bush is not a major type of fruit tree training system. Central Leader, Open Center, and Espalier are all common training systems used for fruit trees.

Pruning is the process of removing unwanted branches and shoots from a fruit tree to improve its shape, health, and productivity.

Chainsaw is not a common type of fruit tree pruning tool. Hand Pruners, Loppers, and Pole Pruners are all common tools used for pruning fruit trees.

Joseph Beuys' "7000 Oaks" is an ongoing project that aims to plant 7,000 oak trees in a grid pattern in Kassel, Germany, as a symbol of environmental awareness and regeneration.

The Musical Forest is a land art project created by John K. Melvin in 1990, consisting of trees planted in the shape of musical notes.

The Green Labyrinth is a land art project created by Klaus Littmann in 1989, consisting of trees planted in the shape of a labyrinth.

The Love Forest is a land art project created by John K. Melvin in 1993, consisting of trees planted in the shape of a heart.

The Spiral Forest is a land art project created by John K. Melvin in 1992, consisting of trees planted in the shape of a spiral.

Honey, bamboo, and medicinal plants are all examples of major types of non-timber forest products that are derived from forests.

Forest economics is not a type of forestry research. It is a branch of economics that deals with the management and use of forest resources.