Complete Set of 4 nos of commemorative postage stamps on Trees of India : Chinar, Pipal, Sal and Banyan (national tree of India) :

Old World sycamore (Platanus orientalis)Sacred fig (Ficus religiosa)Shala (shorea robusta)Indian Banian (ficus benghalensis)

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 19, 1987

Issued for : Man belongs to the earth which has unstintingly given her myriad gifts to him. One of the gifts she has entrusted to man’s care is trees. The four stamps depict trees found in various parts of India.

Description of Designs : The four stamps were designed by S/Shri O.T. Ravindran, Ashwin Mehta, Thakur Dalip Singh and Smt. Sudha Chowdhary. The first day cover depicts the Deodar, another Indian tree. The cancellation is designed by Mrs. Alka Sharma.

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 60, 150, 500, 650 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported unwatermarked adhesive gravure coated stamp paper

Number Printed : 15,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printed : India Security Press

About : 

  • The CHINAR (PLATANUS ORIENTALIS), of the family ‘Platanacae’ and a native of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, has found a home in the Western Himalayas at 1200-2400 m. Thriving on moist and well drained soils, it provides timber for furniture and is also of medicinal value. It rises upto 30 m in height with a short trunk and a spreading crown. Its bark is dull greyish or greenish white. The tree stands at its loveliest when Autumn turns it fiery orange and gold. 
  • The PEEPAL (FICUS RELIGIOSA LINN) is an indigenous fig tree of the family ‘Moraceae’. In its younger stages it is often epiphytic, growing on and gradually strangling other trees with its roots. The leaves and young branches are smooth and shiny, the leaves are heart-shaped, tapering into a long tail at the apex. Growing wild on the lower slopes of the Himalayas, it is now found in most parts of India. It is venerated by Hindus and Buddhists. 
  • The SAL (SHOREA ROBUSTA ROXB) belongs to the genus ‘Shorea’, resiniferous trees found in India, the Malaysian Peninsula and South East Asia. Covering 13.3% of the total forest area in India, it is valued for its timber. It attains a height of 18-30 m. A large deciduous tree with longitudinal cracks on its bark, it has long ovate leaves and pale yellow flowers, covered with soft white hair, scattered on the stalk. Sal finds mention even in the Ramayana and Mahabharata and in Kalidasa’s ‘Ritu-samhar’ and ‘Meghadoota’. 
  • The BANYAN (FICUS BENGHALENSIS) belongs to the genus ‘Ficus’, the fig, mostly inhabiting tropical countries. Colloquially called the ‘Bargad’ or ‘Vat’, it is a beautiful tree, and is also of economic value. A giant tree with a spreading crown, attaining at times 30-35 m. It has obovate, simple leaves, shiny above and pale below. Hindus consider it sacred and worship it in many temples. Its lateral spread can pose problems for neighbouring plants. The Calcutta Botanical Gardens contain a banyan covering 1.7 hectares, considered over 225 years old.