CONTENTS

S.No Title Page No 1 Executive Summary 1 2 Introduction 2 3 Methodology 3 4 Results 5 5 Recommendations 13 6 Acknowledgments 15

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report describes the survey conducted by the survey teams on all managed trees on PSG CAS main campus in Coimbatore during the month of July 2019. Data collection was mainly focused on species location, identification, and measurement of the diameter at breast height (dbh) of all trees in the survey area.

The report describes the site and the methodology used for data collection and presents the data and preliminary analysis, discussing the campus as a whole. A total of 3456 trees have been identified. The family Fabaceae being dominant, followed by Arecaceae, Malvaceae and Bignoniaceae. Swietenia macrophylla and Tectona grandis make up more than 1/3rd of the total population while Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pongamia pinnata were the next major composition. The diameter of all the trees was found to be approximately 580 sq. meters. The photos, graphics, and observations presented here are just a sample of what can be drawn from the data collected. This kind of data is required for effective stewardship.

The report ends with a brief discussion of recommendations, which address both the trees rising from PSG CAS grounds. Establishing relationships and responsibilities among the campus managers, teachers, researchers and students can help the campus forest reach its fullest potential. The forest in the campus is ever changing; trees grow, fall, and die. New construction transforms old gardens and planting newer varieties bring new life to the scene. A tree survey is, always imperfect and incomplete. Nonetheless, this survey offers a foundational snapshot of PSG CAS campus, from which managers can make more detailed analysis, anticipate the future of the campus forest, and craft management decisions designed to meet a variety of objectives.

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INTRODUCTION

Green audits are tools that companies and other organizations use to identify or define their full range of environmental impacts and assess their operations’ compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as with the expectations of their various stakeholders. Green Campus is an environment which improves energy efficiency, conserving resources and enhancing environmental quality by educating for sustainability and creating healthy, living and learning environments. It rewards long term commitment to continuous environmental improvement from the campus community. Green colleges make a point to account for sustainable living when designing and operating their buildings. Many of their facilities incorporate natural lighting, improve air quality, and reduce energy and water use. Trees play an important ecological role within the urban environment, as well as support improved public health and provide aesthetic benefits to cities. It is essential to plan where the trees are planted and to plan their ongoing maintenance in order to maximize future benefits and to ensure long-term tree survival and growth. Trees in a college yard improve air quality and can reduce temperatures with their cool shade. They are a small environmental investment that will pay dividends for decades to come. In one year, a single mature tree will absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release it as oxygen. They have an impact on our mental health and studies have shown that trees greatly reduce stress. The tree census is an important scientific, technical, and educational effort. The results enable us to characterize the tree population in terms of its structure, function, and value. The objectives of the present survey are:  To make a document of tree individuals and tree species of PSG College of Arts & Science.  To undertake analysis of tree abundance.  To enumerate importance of the tree species/individuals observed.

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METHODOLOGY AREA OF SURVEY The Campus Tree Survey (CTS) is a census. In the present survey, “Census” was used as sampling technique. The census technique is specifically used to collect accurate information of the population. The data collection was done from all locations containing population which aims to identify, measure, and locate all trees in areas under active management across the site. Data collection for individual tree was conducted by students of the Department of Botany, PSGCAS during July 2019.

Identification of Tree species Most of the tree species encountered were identified on field on the basis of their morphological characters - bark shape, texture, and colour, leaves-shape, size, texture, colour, arrangement, flower and fruit colour, shape, size, internal morphology, odour and arrangement of reproductive features. Morphological characteristics were used to identify the tree species to the species level. Presidency of Madras was used as references and online database of The International Plant Names Index (IPNI) was used to find out the latest and acceptable international scientific name of the tree species. Some of the Tree species that could not be identified on field were collected or photographed for off-field analysis with officials from Botanical Survey of India.

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Measurement of tree diameter Diameter at breast height, or DBH, is the standard for measuring trees. DBH refers to the tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. DBH is measured quickly with a specially calibrated diameter tape or a d-tape, that displays the diameter measurement when wrapped around the circumference of a tree. The tree is measured 4.5 feet up from the ground. Care has been taken to make sure the tape is straight and tight around the trunk. The circumference measured is then converted to diameter by dividing the circumference by pi (3.14). When the trunk is at an angle or is on a slope, the trunk is measured at right angles to the trunk 4.5 feet along the center of the trunk axis, so the height is the average of the shortest and the longest sides of the trunk. When the trunk branches or splits less than 4.5 feet from the ground, the smallest circumference below the lowest branch is measured. For multi- stemmed trees, the size is determined by measuring all the trunks, and then adding the total diameter of the largest trunk to one-half the diameter of each additional trunk. Stems less than 4 inches were excluded.

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RESULTS

PSG CAS campus hosts an inspiring diversity of tree species and ages. The survey shows about 39 families. Fig. 1 shows families at least 2 genus. There are around 91 species from at least 81 different genera. In the midst of this diversity, family Fabaceae being dominant, followed by Arecaceae, Malvaceae and Bignoniaceae.

Figure 1: Families observed in the PSG CAS campus.

Swietenia macrophylla and Tectona grandis alone make up more than 1/3 of the total population (Fig. 2) while Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pongamia pinnata being the next major contributors. The diameter of the total trees was found to be 57823 cm which is approx. 580 sq. meters. The top eleven dominant genera by mass alone account for 80% in PSGCAS campus (Fig. 2).

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Figure 2: Tree Counts of Top Eleven Genera

PSG CAS campus host trees of varying sizes like any forest, has developed over time. The survey reflects biodiversity, variation in site conditions, and tree age. Few species, such as Tecoma stans, remain smaller; while others, such as teak and neem, have the potential to reach impressive stature. As most campus trees are open-grown and not competing directly with other trees. Size can be used as a proxy for relative age within a species. Assuming similar site conditions, larger teaks are older teaks; larger neems are older neems. The campus is home to a great number of smaller diameter trees that have the potential to reach massive size.

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Index of trees, binomial names family, vernacular names and common names

S.NO BINOMIAL NAME FAMILY VERNACULAR COMMON TOTAL % TOTAL DIAMETER NAME NAME NO COUNT (in cm) 1 Acacia auriculiformis Benth. Fabaceae Kathi Savuku Earpod wattle 6 0.17 228.98

2 Acacia dealbata Wild Fabaceae Wattle 4 0.12 111.78 Silver green wattle 3 Adenanthera pavonina L. Fabaceae Anikundumani Peacock wood 6 0.17 129.62

4 Aegle marmelos Corr. Rutaceae Vilvam Golden apple 1 0.03 3.82

5 Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. Simaroubaceae Peru maram Baked sewage tree 30 0.87 642.04 Tree of heaven 6 Albizia amara Boiv. Fabaceae Arappu, Wunja Wheel Tree 3 0.09 21.66 Wonja Shekaram Oonjal 7 Albizia lebbeck Benth. Fabaceae Vagai Woman's tongue 8 0.23 195.86 tree

8 Araucaria columnaris Araucariaceae Christmas tree Monkey puzzle 5 0.14 28.34 J.R.Forst. Hook. 9 Areca catechu L. Arecaceae Paakku Betel nut 6 0.17 63.06

10 Artabotrys odoratissimus R. Br. Annonaceae Manoranjitham Manorangini ex Ker-Gawl. 1 0.03 9.55

11 Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae Vembu Neem 463 13.40 13879.62

12 Bambusa arundinacea Wild. Poaceae Moonkil Indian thorny 30 0.87 260.19 Bamboo 13 Bauhinia variegata L. Fabaceae Segapu-Manthaarai/ Buddhist Bauhinia 18 0.52 213.69 Sem manthaarai

14 Bismarckia nobilis Arecaceae Bismark palm Silver Bismark 3 0.09 100.64 Hildebr. & H. Wendl. Palm

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15 Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. Burseraceae Chakah Gumbo-limbo 1 0.03 12.74

16 Calliandra haematocephala Fabaceae Exotic – Not Red Powder Puff 1 0.03 4.78 Hassk.. specified 17 Callistemon citrinus L. Myrtaceae Exotic – Not Crimpson Bottle 2 0.06 11.78 specified brushes 18 Campsis radicans Seem. Bignoniaceae Exotic – Not Trumpet vine 2 0.06 16.56 specified 19 Carica papaya L. Caricaceae Pappali Papaya 8 0.23 50.32

20 Caryota mitis L. Arecaceae Exotic – Not Fishtail palms 17 0.49 241.72 specified

21 Caryota obtusa Griff. Arecaceae Exotic – Not Giant fishtail palm 5 0.14 99.68 specified 22 Cassia fistula L. Caesalpiniaceae Sarakkontrai Golden shower tree 1 0.03 6.37

23 Casuarina equisetifolia L. Casuarinaceae Savukku whistling tree 2 0.06 40.45

24 Ceiba pentandra L. Malvaceae Elava maram Kapoktree 11 0.32 475.48

25 Cercis siliquastrum L. Caesalpiniaceae Exotic – Not Judas tree 3 0.09 87.58 specified 26 Clusia rosea Jacq. Clusiaceae Exotic – Not Autograph tree 3 0.09 47.74 specified

27 Cocos nucifera L. Arecaceae Thennai Coconut 29 0.84 564.97

28 Cordia sebestena L. Boraginaceae Aechinaruvihli Geiger tree 7 0.20 45.22

29 Crescentia cujete L. Bignoniaceae Tiruvottukkay Calabash tree 6 0.17 124.20

30 Cycas circinalis L. Cycadaceae Eentha panai Queen sago palm 1 0.03 12.10

31 Delonix regia Fabaceae Cemmayir-konrai Mayflower 130 3.76 5361.78 (Boj. ex Hook.) Raf.

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32 Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Myrtaceae Thaila maram Blue gum 26 0.75 1252.23

33 Feronia elephantum L. Rutaceae Vilamaram Wood apple 1 0.03 101.91

34 Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Aalamaram Indian banyan 2 0.06 267.52

35 Ficus benjamina L. Moraceae Nintamaravakai Weeping fig 1 0.03 57.32

36 Ficus carica L. Moraceae Athipazham Fig 4 0.12 51.27

37 Ficus religiosa L. Moraceae Arasa maram Bodhi tree 2 0.06 152.87

38 Fraxinus excelsior L. Oleaceae Perunchirakam European ash 8 0.23 39.49

39 Fraxinus latifolia Benth. Oleaceae Exotic – Not Oregon ash 21 0.61 170.38 specified 40 Gliricidia maculata (Humb, Fabaceae Seemai agathi Mexican lilac 33 0.95 842.04 Bonpl. & Kunth) Steud. 41 Gmelina arborea Roxb. Lamiaceae Kumila maram Beechwood 5 0.14 44.59

42 Grevillea robusta Proteaceae Exotic – Not Southern silky oak 82 2.37 1083.12 A.Cunn. ex R.Br. specified 43 Grewia hirsuta Vahl. Malvaceae Kalunnu Kukurbicha 1 0.03 14.33

44 Hibiscus tiliaceus L. Malvaceae Nir Paratthi Sea Hibiscus 9 0.26 323.57

45 Kigelia pinnata (Lam.) Benth. Bignoniaceae Yaanai pudukan Sausage tree 5 0.14 110.51

46 Lagerstroemia indica (L.) Pers. Lythraceae Pavalakkurinji Crape myrtle 1 0.03 22.93

47 Leucaena leucocephala Fabaceae Periya-takarai Saundal 8 0.23 168.15 (Lam.) de Wit.

48 Livistonia chinensis Mart. Arecaceae Seemai panai Palm 6 0.17 74.20

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49 Madhuca longifolia (J.Konig) Sapotaceae Iluppai Mowra butter tree 3 0.09 22.29 J.F.Macbr.

50 Majidea zanguebarica J. Kirk. Sapindaceae Exotic – Not Black pearl tree 4 0.12 92.99 specified

51 Manilkara zapota (L.) P.Royen Sapotaceae Sapota Sapota 11 0.32 80.57

52 Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Malai vembu Chinaberry tree 6 0.17 131.21

53 Michelia champaca L. Magnoliaceae Shenbagam Golden champa 2 0.06 18.79

54 Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Magizhamboo Spanish cherry 12 0.35 153.18

55 Moringa oleifera Lam. Moringaceae Murungai Drumstick 34 0.98 505.73

56 Murraya koenigii L. Rutaceae Kariveppilai Curry Tree 6 0.17 23.41

57 Muntingia calabura L Muntingiaceae Sarkarai pala maram Kerson fruit 6 0.17 81.53

58 Peltophorum pterocarpum Caesalpiniaceae Perunkondrai Copper shield 200 5.79 5731.21 (DC.) K. Heyne. 59 Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae Eechai Date palm 11 0.32 399.04

60 Phyllanthus acidus L. Phyllanthaceae Nelli Star gooseberry 2 0.06 13.69

61 Pisonia alba Span. Nyctaginaceae Nanju murichchan Birdcatcher trees 5 0.14 48.73

62 Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Fabaceae Kodukkappuli Manila tamarind 19 0.55 231.85 Benth. 63 Pittosporum undulatum Vent. Pittosporaceae Sweet pittosporum 1 0.03 38.54

64 Plumeria alba L. Apocynaceae Nela sampangi Frangipani 7 0.20 69.11

65 Plumeria pudica Jacq. Apocynaceae Naavilla arali White frangipani 4 0.12 34.39

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66 Polyalthia longifolia Sonn. Annonaceae Nettilinkam False Ashoka 2 0.06 19.75

67 Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Fabaceae Pungai Pongam tree 325 9.40 4582.17

68 Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae Koyyaa Guava 17 0.49 102.23

69 Pterocarpus indicus Wild. Fabaceae Vengai maram Prickly padauk 3 0.09 51.59

70 Robinia pseudoacacia L. Fabaceae Velvelam Black locust 3 0.09 54.14

71 Samanea saman F. Muell. Fabaceae Thoogu moongi Monkey pod tree 34 0.98 1271.34 maram 72 Santalum album L. Santalaceae Sandhana maram Indian sandalwood 57 1.65 554.78

73 Schefflera actinophylla Araliaceae Thuluvai Queensland 2 0.06 24.84 (Endl.) Harms. umbrella tree 74 Schinus molle L. Anacardiaceae Exotic – Not Brazil Pepper 2 0.06 14.97 specified 75 Simarouba glauca L. Simaroubaceae Lakshmi maram Paradise tree 26 0.75 397.45

76 Spathodea campanulata P. Bignoniaceae Patadi Fountain tree 2 0.06 23.89 Beauv. 77 Swietenia macrophylla King. Meliaceae Thenkani Vidai Mahogany 772 22.34 7543.31

78 Swietenia mahagony (L.) Jacq. Meliaceae Thenkani West Indian 3 0.09 29.30 mahogany 79 Syagrus romanzoffiana Arecaceae Exotic – Not Queen palm 2 0.06 14.65 (Cham.) Glassman. specified 80 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. Myrtaceae Naval maram Java plum, Jamun 122 3.53 1121.97

81 Tabebuia rosea DC. Bignoniaceae Vasanta rani Maram Rosy trumpet tree 3 0.09 27.39

82 Tamarindus indica L. Papilonaceae Puliya maram Tamarindus 16 0.46 950.64

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83 Tecoma stans Bignoniaceae Ciyu maravakai Yellow elder 24 0.69 86.31 (L.) Juss. ex Kunth.

84 Tectona grandis L. Verbenaceae Thekku Teak 504 14.58 2757.96

85 Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Combretaceae Maruthamaram Arjun tree 25 0.72 333.76 Wight & Arn.

86 Terminalia catappa L. Combretaceae Naatuvaadhumai Indian almond 54 1.56 712.74

87 Thespesia populnea Malvaceae Poovarasa maram Portia tree 90 2.60 1531.21 (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa.

88 Tilia americana L. Malvaceae Exotic – Not American 1 0.03 14.33 specified basswood

89 Tilia platyphyllos Scop. Malvaceae Exotic – Not Large-leaved lime 1 0.03 9.87 specified

90 Wodyetia bifurcata A.K.Irvine. Arecaceae Exotic – Not Foxtail Palm 2 0.06 14.65 specified 91 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Rhamnaceae Elanthai Chinese date 3 0.09 32.48

Total 3456 100 57822.74

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RECOMMENDATIONS Shade-loving plants are reliable performers, but there are a whole lot of other beauties out there that flourish in less sunny locations. The trick lies in choosing the right plant for the right place. "There are many degrees of shade," says Michael Sheek, senior horticulturalist. Full shade means the area never receives direct light. Part shade means it doesn't get more than three or four hours of direct sunlight daily. Some sun-loving plants will tolerate a bit of shade, and some shade plants can handle a little sun, especially if it's in the morning. These shade-lovers will brighten up any dark corner of the campus. It is advisable to include pool or formal rock garden or the kind in the campus. But there is no harm if a formal or informal lily pool can fit in with the overall design, with or without a fountain or a rock garden. It is also important to select the proper plants near the buildings to soften and broaden the view of the building. A medium tree with low-branching habit and with a rounded or little oval-shaped top is planted near the corner with some low- growing shrubs planted around it. Trees such as Amherstia nobilis, Cassia nodosa, Dillenia indica, Magnolia grandiflora and Saraca indica can be used for this purpose. If the tree selected is deciduous in nature the evergreen shrubs below should form the contrast. For a multi storied building, a high branching rounded canopy tree such as Anthocephalus cadamba, Erythropsis colorata, Michelia champaca, can be planted farthest from the corner of the building and in between a fairly large second tree or shrub is planted, besides some other low-growing shrubs. Tecoma argentea is a wonderful flowering tree. The following trees are also suitable for planting in the home grounds: Mimusops elengi, Gliricidia maculata, Cochlospermum gossypium, Cassia fistula, and Cassia spectabilis. Not only right type of tree has to be selected but also enough room has to be left for the tree to grow. For example, a 25 x 50 m area has room only for a large shade tree and two to three small flowering trees. Some shrubs may be grown as specimens in the lawn. A few suggested shrubs are Ixora singaporensis, Brya ebenus, Sophora tomentosa, Mussaenda philippica, Azalea, Cotoneaster horizontalis and Rhododendrons in different species. The last three are suitable for temperate climates. Planting a diverse range of trees could also bring many co-benefits. Planting trees to

“suck” CO2 out of the atmosphere by switching from just one plant species to a more diverse mix should be aimed. It is noted that Casuarina has wide applications in agroforestry, forestry, land reclamation and silviculture. It is considered to be one of the most valuable multipurpose nonleguminous nitrogen fixing perennials in the tropics and subtropics around

13 the world. C. equisetifolia and Eucalyptus trees may provide important reforestation or afforestation strategies to compensate carbon emissions, particularly in times of global environmental change. In addition to these the following species Terminalia elliptica, Wrightia tinctoria, other Acacia spp., Shorea robusta, Dalbergia sisso, Diospyros melanoxylon may be recommended to achieve green campus.

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Acknowledgements

The Management, Secretary and Principal of PSGCAS are thanked for their support and encouragement. The PSGCAS Campus Tree Survey is the result of the combined expertise of students, alumni’s, and faculties of the PG and Research Department of Botany,

Mr.V.Rajasekaran, Asssistant Professor in Department of Computer Science and

Dr.K.M.Sakthivel, Asssistant Professor in Department of Biochemistry, PSGCAS.

The students played an integral role in the collection and organization of the data presented in this report. The HOD and students of Visual Communication Department are thanked for extending their valuable help. The team is also thankful to Dr. M. Murugesan,

Scientist, Botanical Survey of India, Southern circle, Coimbatore and Dr. A. M.

Anandakumar, Asssistant Professor in Botany, NGM College Pollachi for identifications of the tree flora.

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Acacia auriculiformis Acacia dealbata

Adenanthera pavonina Aegle marmelos

Ailanthus excels Albizia amara

Albizia lebbeck Araucaria columnaris

Azadirachta indica Bambusa arundinacea

Bauhinia variegata Bismarckia nobilis

Bursera simaruba Calliandra haematocephala

Callistemon citrinus Campsis radicans

Carica papaya Caryota mitis

Caryota obtusa Cassia fistula

Casuarina equisetifolia Ceiba pentandra

Cercis siliquastrum Clusia rosea

Cocos nucifera Cordia sebesten

Crescentia cujete Cycas circinalis

Delonix regia Eucalyptus globulus

Feronia elephantum Ficus benghalensis

Ficus benjamina Ficus carica

Ficus religiosa Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus latifolia Gamilina arboria

Gliricidia maculata Grevillea robusta

Grewia hirsuta Hibiscus tiliaceaus

Kigelia pinnata Lagerstroemia indica

Leucaena leucocephala Livistonia chinensis

Madhuca longifolia Majidea zanguebarica

Manilkara zapota Melia azedarach

Michelia champaca Mimusops elengi

Moringa oleifera Muntingia calabura

Murraya koenigii Peltophorum pterocarpum

Phoenix dactylifera Phyllanthus acidus

Pisonia alba Pithecellobium dulce

Pittosporum undulatum Plumeria alba

Plumeria pudica Polyalthia longifolia

Pongamia pinnata Psidium guajava

Pterocarpus indicus Robinia pseudoacacia

Samanea saman Santalum album

Schefflera actinophylla Schinus molle

Simarouba glauca Spathodea campanulata

Swietenia macrophylla Swietenia mahagony

Syagrus romanzoffiana Syzygium cumini

Tabebuia rosea Tamarindus indica

Tecoma stans Tectona grandis

Terminalia arjuna Terminalia catappa

Thespesia populnea Tilia americana

Tilia platyphyllos Wodyetia bifurcata

Ziziphus jujuba