What are multipurpose trees? Give the botanical and local names of any two multipurpose trees known to you and list their uses.

As the name suggests, multipurpose trees are those tree which solve multiple purposes like providing fruits, shade, timber, medicine, etc.

For example

• Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) has multiple uses. Its fruit is edible, its oil is used in cooking, the coconut husk is used as fibre to make many products ( like door mats, brushes , mattresses), coconut oil is also effective in reducing scars.

• Mango tree (Mangifera indica) also serves multiple purposes like providing mango fruit, provides shades, its wood is used in construction, the mango leaves are extensively used in ayurveda.

• There are many other examples of multipurpose trees like Neem (Azadirachta indica), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), etc. have medicinal as well as religious values.