The Tree Encyclopedia
Every species has a story — explore the living library that connects science, nature, and wonder.
Nine Trees Worth Knowing
This is a curated starting collection, not a full directory — we're adding new species on a regular basis. Follow along below to see each new tree as it's published.
Neem Tree
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Azadirachta indica · Indian Subcontinent · Growth: Fast · Lifespan: 150–200 years · Tropical · Evergreen · Medicinal · Native
Banyan Tree
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Ficus benghalensis · Indian Subcontinent · Growth: Moderate · Lifespan: Several centuries · Tropical · Evergreen · Native · Large Canopy
Oak Tree
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Quercus robur · Europe & Western Asia · Growth: Slow · Lifespan: 500–1,000+ years · Temperate · Deciduous · Native
Japanese Maple
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Acer palmatum · Japan, Korea & China · Growth: Slow to Moderate · Lifespan: 100–150 years · Temperate · Deciduous · Ornamental · Urban
Baobab Tree
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Adansonia digitata · African Savanna & Madagascar · Growth: Slow · Lifespan: Over 1,000 years · Arid · Deciduous · Fruit Bearing · Native
Jacaranda Tree
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Jacaranda mimosifolia · South America · Growth: Fast · Lifespan: 50+ years · Subtropical · Flowering · Deciduous · Urban
Giant Sequoia
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Sequoiadendron giganteum · Sierra Nevada, USA · Growth: Slow to Moderate · Lifespan: 2,000–3,000+ years · Temperate · Evergreen · Native
Cherry Blossom
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Prunus serrulata · Japan, Korea & China · Growth: Moderate · Lifespan: 30–40 years (ornamental) · Temperate · Flowering · Deciduous · Urban
Acacia Tree
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Acacia spp. · Africa & Australia · Growth: Fast · Lifespan: 20–60 years · Arid · Evergreen · Native
Olive Tree
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Olea europaea · Mediterranean Basin · Growth: Slow · Lifespan: 500+ years (some over 1,000) · Mediterranean · Evergreen · Fruit Bearing · Drought-Tolerant
Weeping Willow
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Salix babylonica · Northern China (naturalised across temperate zones) · Growth: Fast · Lifespan: 40–75 years · Temperate · Deciduous · Riparian · Ornamental
Coconut Palm
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Cocos nucifera · Tropical Coastlines Worldwide · Growth: Fast · Lifespan: 60–100 years · Tropical · Coastal · Fruit Bearing · Evergreen
Joshua Tree
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Yucca brevifolia · Mojave Desert, USA · Growth: Very Slow · Lifespan: 150–300+ years · Arid · Evergreen · Desert · Native
Red Mangrove
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Rhizophora mangle · Tropical & Subtropical Coastlines (Americas, West Africa) · Growth: Moderate · Lifespan: 50–100 years · Tropical · Coastal · Wetland · Native
Teak Tree
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Tectona grandis · South & Southeast Asia (native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia) · Growth: Moderate · Lifespan: 100–150 years (commercially harvested at 25–30) · Tropical · Deciduous · Timber · Native
How Each Entry Gets Made
Every species in this encyclopedia goes through the same process before it's published — accuracy first, then accessibility, so the page in front of you is both correct and easy to actually read.
- Research each species against verified botanical and conservation sources
- Write the profile in plain language — scientific name, region, growth rate, lifespan
- Pair every entry with a real, identity-checked photo of that species
- Publish, then keep adding new species on a regular basis
Common Questions
Each entry is researched from reputable, publicly available botanical and ecological references, and we review entries as the encyclopedia grows.
Yes -- get in touch via the Contact page with the species you'd like to see covered.
Not yet. It's a curated showcase today, growing toward a fuller, searchable directory over time.
Generally yes for educational purposes with attribution back to Chhaya Foundation -- for any other use, please contact us first.
Help Grow This Encyclopedia — And A Forest
One-time gifts, monthly support, or a corporate partnership all help fund both the research behind these pages and real tree-planting work on the ground.