Leaf and bark pattern of Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia latifolia:

Dear friends,

This post has become necessary to clear the doubts among our readers about the identification of Dalbergia sissoo (Sisu) and Dalbergia latifolia (Eeti, Thothakathi, East Indian Rose wood).

• Sissoo leaves have pointing tip whereas the leaves of Latifolia are blunt and rounded.
• While the bark of D.Sissoo is dark brown, very rough thick layer and with cracks, the bark of D.Latifolia is gray in colour, thin and smooth in appearance.

Refer the following links also:
Link 1
Link 2
and my previous posts on Sissoo.

(Please note that the pictures showing leaf pattern of Dalbergia latifolia were taken with the trunk of Gmelina arborea (Kumil) in the background).

Regards,
Vishnu Sankar

Leaf pattern of Dalbergia Sissoo (Tamil : Sissoo)

Dear friends,

I am uploading this picture to help you differentiate Dalbergia sissoo from Dalbergia latifolia (Eetti, Rose wood). Sissoo leaves have pointing tip where as the leaves of Latifolia are blunt and rounded.

Leaf pattern of Sissoo:



Intricate wood carving from Sissoo wood panel:



A Dalbergia latifolia tree:




Please click the link to differentiate between Sissoo and Eetii
or 'East Indian Rose Wood' from 'Indian Rose Wood'.

Dalbergia sissoo (Tamil:Sisu) Tree:

Some Sissoo Tree pictures: (D.O.P: 20-09-03)
Picture taken on 17-10-2009


Sissoo D.O.P 20-9-2003,
Picture taken on 17-10-2009

Dalbergia sissoo (Tamil : Sissoo)

Name of the plant - Dalbergia sissoo (Tamil : Sissoo)
(Indian Rose Wood)

‘N’ fixing capacity - In root nodules. Improves soil fertility.

Fodder Tree - Give only tender leaves. Matured leafs should
be mixed with other fodder.

Deciduous - Yes

Drought tolerance - Yes

Soil type / pH range - Sand mixed soils, Mixed soils and river beds

Tolerance to water logging - No

Seeds - 50 seeds / gm ( 1 to 3 kgs / Tree )

Germination - %

Vegetative propagation - Cloning is the best way. New shoots sprouting
from the roots around the plants can also be used.

Spacing for border planting- 2 m

For bulk planting - Initial 2 m X 2 m and remove 50% after 4th
year to obtain vertical growth.

Maturity Years - 10 – 15 years

Growth : Height - 15 – 20 m Ht
Girth -
Yield -

Timber Density - 0.82, Hard wood, Black colour heart wood
Weight - 801 – 850 Kgs / Sq.m

Uses - For furniture, Boat, Railway coach, carved
wood panels

Ratoon - Poor, not recommended.

Special features if any - Because of its ‘N’ fixing capacity it improves soil fertility. Performs well in irrigated conditions. For the first 2 – 3 years irrigation is essential. Requires more sunlight and will not grow well in shades. Tendency to branch sideways so moderate pruning is necessary to induce vertical growth. Plant densely to induce vertical growth and remove alternate trees in 4th year. New shoots sprouting from the roots around the plants can also be removed and used for new plantation.

Please refer the following links to know the difference between

'East Indian Rose Wood' from 'Indian Rose Wood':

and 'Leaf pattern of Sissoo'.

A Dalbergia latifolia tree (Rose wood/Thothakathi/Eetti)

Regards,
Vishnu Sankar