Shisam - Dalbergia sissoo

Description and Uses

Dalbergia sissoo (Shisam) is a tropical tree from East India. It is mainly grown for its timber crops (long shelflife), but also fertilization, fuel, oil, ornamental, and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 3 - 5 years. The first yield will be 7.7 m x 8 cm in 4 years but in its top season there will be a yield of 95 m3/ha in 20 years. There are no edible parts.. Medical uses include; malaria prevention. The fresh leaf contains tannic acid (1.8%pods - 2.2%pods). There is Sissoo wood lubricant oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 5.3 - 6% oil. The tree`s wood is called rosewood shisham and has a density of 620 - 820 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 5181 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; it is a very suitable species for firewood prodution. After 24 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Dalbergia sissoo has a lifespan of 150 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 30 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Dalbergia sissoo has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations with Glomus intraradices fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is dioecious and is pollinated by wind. Dalbergia sissoo is deciduous in winter and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Dalbergia sissoo thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1500 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -4°C and optimally between 20 - 45°C. The optimal rainfall is 2750 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 500 - 4500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire intolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

"Plecoptera reflexa", "Dichomeris eridans", and "Brachytrupes portentosus" are pests and Late blight, is a diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 4 months. There are approximative 42500 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature, (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature., (3) Seeds germinate above ground (epigeous)

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