Kikar (Babul)

Key Features: Thorny, fast-growing deciduous tree Reaches height of 10–20 meters Has small, feathery leaves and sharp thorns Produces fragrant, yellow puffball flowers and brown seed pods Care Requirements: Light: Full sun Water: Highly drought-tolerant Soil: Grows in poor, dry, or saline soils — ideal for arid regions Temperature: Tolerates extreme heat (25–45°C) Benefits: Wood used for fuel, furniture, and fencing Bark and pods have medicinal uses (treats diarrhea, wounds, gum diseases) Rich source of gum Arabic Improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation Provides shade and shelter in barren lands ⚠️ Note: Thorns can be hazardous in residential gardens Best used for reforestation, boundaries, and rural plantation