Care in the first three years

Young gular trees need steady moisture, protection from grazing and a little shaping, and little else.

Watering. In year two, water about half as often as in year one, checking the soil first (a rough starting point). By year three, water only in long dry spells or a very hot May, unless the tree stands on dry land far from water.

Leaf drop. Flowers of India notes that gular stays evergreen near water but otherwise sheds its leaves in January. A bare young tree in mid-winter is normal; check that the twigs are still green and bendy under the bark.

Frost. We found no source on how much cold a young gular can take. In the north, cover a first-winter sapling loosely with a jute or straw hood on nights when IMD warns of ground frost, and remove it in the morning (practical guidance).

Weeds and mulch. Weed the basin in the first two monsoons, then mulch with dry grass or leaves, kept a hand's width from the stem (practical guidance).

Shaping. Remove broken or crossing branches in the cool season, a few at a time. Fresh cuts bleed milky sap, so wear gloves and keep the sap off your skin and out of your eyes.

Pests. If you see leaves eaten or curled, sticky patches, holes in the stem or sawdust at the base, take a sample or clear photos to your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or forest department, and do not spray anything without their advice.