Overview

Dalbergia sissoo is a tree tree in the genus Dalbergia, part of the Fabaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Dalbergia sissoo grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include specimen tree and timber production. It is native to Afghanistan, Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and West Himalaya.

About

Dalbergia sissoo is a deciduous tree grown for its timber and as a specimen planting. It originates from the Indian subcontinent and adjoining regions and is valued where a single-trunk tree is required. It favours full sun on neutral loam with good drainage and a sheltered, south-facing aspect. It flowers from July to September with whitish to pink blooms.

About the genus

Dalbergia is a large genus of small to medium-size trees, shrubs and lianas in the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. It was recently assigned to the informal monophyletic Dalbergia clade : the Dalbergieae. The genus has a wide distribution, native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar and Southern Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Dalbergia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dalbergia

In the garden

Dalbergia sissoo comes from South Asia and neighbouring areas, where it has long been used for timber and landscape planting. In the UK it is treated as a tender tree (H1b), so it is best sited where it will receive the warmest, most sheltered conditions you can offer. Native range includes Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Iran and Myanmar, reflecting its preference for warm, sunny positions. Plant in a free-draining loam with a neutral pH and provide full sun; a south-facing, sheltered aspect reduces winter exposure. Soil must not remain waterlogged — good surface drainage is important. The H1b rating means it is unlikely to withstand the coldest open garden locations, so choose the warmest microclimate you have available. Use Dalbergia sissoo as a specimen tree where its form and timber potential can be managed, or in larger-scale plantings for wood production. It flowers from July to September with whitish to pink blooms, and will repay long-term planning when retained for timber. If timber is the objective, allow space and time for a single main stem to develop for future cutting or shaping.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Dalbergia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1b

Plant details

Dalbergia sissoo size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Tree

Habit

Tree

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Specimen tree, timber production

Native to

Afghanistan, Assam, Bangladesh, East Himalaya, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, West Himalaya

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Dalbergia sissoo

Propagation

Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings

Pest resistance

Susceptible to honey fungus

Disease resistance

Susceptible to honey fungus

Frequently asked questions