Heritage Trees of Delhi

Monuments built by the numerous rulers of Delhi have also become home to some of the city’s old, indigenous trees. These were termed as “natural heritage” by the Delhi government in September 2016. The list includes 16 trees which are spread over South and New Delhi districts. Here, a Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) tree at the iconic India Gate (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

Pilkhan or Ficus virens is large fig tree, often with its roots wrapped around its trunk. A specimen given heritage status stands tall at Deer Park, Hauz Khas (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

A diseased mango tree (Mangifera indica) with large wooden burls near the Bada Gumbad in Lodhi Garden (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

Imli is a large deciduous tree known to have multiple uses in traditional medicine. Here, an Imli or Tamarindus indica specimen growing in the Hauz Khas fort complex (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

Said to the oldest tree in Delhi, this Khirni (Mamikara hexandre) tree benevolently shades parts of the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Naseeruddin Mahmud Roshanchirag in Chirag Delhi. The tree has been around since the shrine was built in 1356 (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

A slightly withered yet firmly grounded Salvadora (Salvadora oleiodes) tree at the Qutub Minar complex (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)

Located at the Teen Murti Bhavan, this Semal or Bobax ceiba tree has provided shade to visitors for decades (Credit: Adithyan P C/CSE)