Indigenous trees of the Aravalis

Dhau (Anogeissus latifolia and related species), also known as the axlewood or Indian gum tree, is a hardy, drought-resistant deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent. The common names include  Dhok, Dhauk, Kardhai, Dhonk, Dhoy, and Button Tree.
 It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a silvery trunk. It is known for its ability to grow laterally as a shrub on rocky slopes. The plant is a keystone species of the Aravalli hills and the dry deciduous forests of India, playing a vital ecological role in stabilizing rocky terrains. Dhau trees are noted for their deep root systems and ability to share nutrients and water with surrounding trees during droughts.  Highly resilient, the Dhau is a long-living species that can survive for more than 200 years. 
Main uses of the tree are as timber, yielding one of the toughest, heaviest, and most durable timbers in India, widely used for tool handles, boat construction, and cart axles. The tree also yields a high-quality, water-soluble gum known as "Dhavada gum," which is used in natural adhesives and traditional foods. The leaves are used as fodder. In Ayurveda, the bark and leaves of the tree are utilized in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders, fevers, and in wound healing.
The flowers are small, rounded heads of greenish-yellow, bisexual flowers. Following the bloom, it produces greenish-yellow, two-winged, beaked fruits. The plant supports local biodiversity, and the flowers provide valuable resources for various pollinators and local insects. 


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