Forest species for agroforestry

Premium timber tree for long-term income.

Best for: Deep, well-drained soils with reliable moisture. Block plantations and farm boundaries.

Benefits

• Very high-value timber for furniture and construction
• Stores large amounts of carbon in long-lived wood
• Fallen leaves add organic matter to the soil
• Long-term income that works like a family savings plan

Main uses

• Timber
• Furniture
• Poles

Note: Slow growing. Income comes at harvest after many years, so grow intercrops in the early years.

Fast-growing timber for plywood and pulp.

Best for: Farm bunds and block plantations, with irrigation or good rainfall.

Benefits

• Grows quickly, so income comes sooner than from slow timber trees
• Timber is in demand for plywood, packing and pulp
• Captures carbon fast while it grows
• Light canopy in the early years allows intercropping

Main uses

• Plywood
• Packing
• Pulpwood

Note: Needs water and protection from grazing animals while young.

Hardy tree for sandy and coastal land.

Best for: Sandy, coastal and salt-affected soils. Windbreaks and block plantations.

Benefits

• Tolerates sandy and salty conditions where many crops struggle
• Fixes nitrogen and improves poor soil
• Works as a windbreak that protects crops
• Straight poles and pulpwood sell well

Main uses

• Poles
• Pulpwood
• Fuelwood

Drought-hardy shade tree that improves soil.

Best for: Dry and rainfed land, field boundaries, roadsides and degraded land.

Benefits

• Withstands drought and poor soils
• Fixes nitrogen, which helps crops growing nearby
• Seeds give oil, and the seed cake can be used as organic manure
• Dense shade and a cooler farm microclimate

Main uses

• Seed oil
• Organic manure
• Shade

Tough, useful tree with many farm and household uses.

Best for: Almost everywhere in the region, including dry and rainfed land.

Benefits

• Survives dry spells and low-fertility soil
• Leaves and seed extracts are used as natural pest control
• Good shade and useful timber
• Traditional medicinal and household uses

Main uses

• Natural pesticide
• Shade
• Timber

Fast-growing grass harvested without felling the clump.

Best for: Farm boundaries, riverbanks and block plantations with enough moisture.

Benefits

• Very fast growth and strong carbon capture
• Culms can be harvested repeatedly without replanting
• Roots bind soil and reduce erosion
• Used in construction, crafts and pulp

Main uses

• Construction
• Crafts
• Pulp

Quick pulpwood and fuelwood tree that fixes nitrogen.

Best for: Rainfed and irrigated farmland, commonly grown as pulpwood.

Benefits

• Fast growth gives early returns
• Pulpwood is bought by paper mills
• Fixes nitrogen, which benefits the soil
• Branches give fuelwood

Main uses

• Pulpwood
• Fuelwood

Native Eastern Ghats tree of very high value.

Best for: Dry, rocky, well-drained soils in the Eastern Ghats region.

Benefits

• Very valuable heartwood
• Native species that supports local biodiversity
• Tolerates dry and poor soils
• Strong long-term value for farmers who plant it legally

Main uses

• Heartwood
• Native species

Note: Cultivation, harvest and transport are regulated. Check with the Forest Department before planting.