Monsoon wrong time to plant saplings: Experts

MUMBAI: For years, the BMC has been routinely distributing saplings during the monsoon. Yet, the human to plant ratio today in Mumbai stands at 7:1, says Dr Nilesh Baxi, member of the civic Tree Authority. He feels that this is largely because plantations largely take place in the monsoon.
According to Dr Baxi, during monsoon, the root of a sapling gets too much water and hence decays.Citing an example, Dr Baxi says, "In May 2009, horticulturist U N Singh and I planted 75 Barringtonia trees and two banyan trees from Nariman Point till the Mafatlal swimming pool near Chowpatty. All are thriving today. But a month after our plantation, on June 5, 2009, D-ward officials planted 10 saplings with tree guards in Wadia Street, Tardeo. Three perished that month itself and four later."
Explains Mulund resident Nagesh S Tekale, a retired professor of plant physiology, "After the first monsoon showers, most of the insects and pests in the soil becomes active and attack the seeds and roots of young saplings to eat into their protein content. Consequently, the seeds fail to germinate. As for the saplings, they just wither away. The one that survives gets damaged as the moisture content in the soil is above 90% which comes in the way of their respiration process. So, it is not prudent to either distribute seeds or saplings during monsoon."
However, Beena Menon, executive committee member, National Society of the Friends of Trees feels that "trees should be planted only after initial showers, once the soil gets cooled, ideally during mid-July. The sapling should be minimum 5 to 6 ft and the pit should be two-and-a-half ft deep".
Monsoon also witnesses the maximum falling of trees. Trees almost always get trimmed on one side. So, it tends to grow heavy on one side and is thus likely to fall in strong wind, say experts. Then there is the location problem.
"Gulmohar tree, known for its fragility, in wide open space grows straight and develops a good root system and rarely falls due to gale or winds. But the same Gulmohar, when planted on Mumbai's footpath/road, has the maximum chance of falling as the tree trunk is tightly hugged by tiles/cement/tar. Hence, water doesn't percolate, thus reducing the water table. After 4 to 7 years, roots may not be able to suck water."
When the superintendent of gardens, BMC, R L Wani, was contacted, he guided this correspondent to his deputy. But he refused to speak, saying he was not authorised to speak to the press.