Botanical name : Platanus orientalis
Family : Platanceae
Introduction
Range of Chinar includes at least Eurasia from the Balkans to the Himalaya in the east. Chinar has been an important tree in Persian gardens, which are built around water and shade. An tiny island in the Dal lake in Sringar, is called Char-Chinar because of the four Chinar trees there. Chinar tree is an integral part of Kashmiri culture. Almost every village in the valley has a Chinar tree.
Morphology
Its leaves are borne alternately on the stem, deeply 3, 5 or 7 lobed, and palmate or maple-like, with coarsely toothed margins.
It usually has flaking bark, occasionally not flaking and becoming thick and rugged.
Flowers and fruit are round and similar to those of Kadam, borne in clusters of between 2 and 6 on a stem.
Uses
The leaves and bark have been used medicinally.
A fabric dye has been made from the twigs and roots.
The timber, often called lacewood, is figured and valuable for indoor furniture.
