Indian Towns Once Grew Around Trees Like the Banyan — Could That Idea Save Our Cities Today?

In the rush of our crowded cities, it's easy to miss what once made them feel like home — trees.

Not just a patch of green on the horizon, trees were at the heart of Indian towns. They offered shade on long afternoons, a place for stories to be shared, prayers to be whispered, and communities to come together. Long before air-conditioners and concrete roads, these trees kept our homes cooler and our lives slower.

Today, as cities grow hotter and more hurried, maybe it’s time to look back. The trees that once shaped our settlements might just hold the key to building healthier, more liveable spaces again.

Here’s how five native trees quietly planned our towns — and why they still matter today.

1. Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer)

How it was used:

A familiar sight in Tamil Nadu’s villages, the Palmyra once stood tall like sentinels, marking field boundaries and stopping winds from carrying away precious topsoil. Every part of the tree served a purpose — jaggery from its sap sweetened tea, leaves were used for thatching, fruits for food, and the trunk for construction. Palmyras weren’t just trees; they were community lifelines.

How it can be used now:

As droughts grow more frequent, the Palmyra’s resilience makes it invaluable. Drought-hardy and low-maintenance, they can thrive along village borders, around water bodies, and in public spaces, offering shade, livelihoods, and long-term environmental benefits.

2. Peepal (Ficus religiosa)

How it was used:

The Peepal tree was where stories, prayers, and life converged. Found in temple courtyards, near ponds, or town squares, its expansive canopy provided more than cool shade — it was a social and spiritual anchor. Elders gathered under its leaves, sharing wisdom and finding calm. Even modern science agrees: the Peepal releases oxygen round the clock, purifying the air even at night.

How it can be used now:

In today’s overheating cities, the Peepal can still be a source of cool air and quiet reflection. Parks, schools, hospitals — any space where people seek rest and respite — could benefit from its enduring presence.

3. Ashoka (Saraca asoca)

How it was used:

With its slender, graceful form and soft green leaves, the Ashoka adorned temple gardens and royal courtyards. It stood out for its beauty and neatness — ideal for carefully laid-out urban spaces. Associated with peace and happiness, the Ashoka was a natural fit where prayers were offered and life celebrated.

How it can be used now:

Ashokas are still urban-friendly — they don’t spread wide, require little upkeep, and rarely litter. In busy neighbourhoods, schoolyards, and apartment complexes, they can quietly bring structure and calm without demanding too much space.

4. Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)

How it was used:

The Banyan was more than a tree — it was the original town hall. With its vast, sheltering branches and aerial roots, it created natural meeting spaces where villagers gathered for decisions, festivals, and storytelling. Under its shade, community life unfolded.

How it can be used now:

In today’s cities, where open gathering spaces are shrinking, the Banyan can revive that sense of community. Picture a neighbourhood park or a campus quadrangle with a Banyan at its heart — a shared space not just for shade but for connection.

5. Deodar (Cedrus deodara)

How it was used:

In the northern hills, towns like Shimla and Mussoorie grew around the towering Deodar. Sacred to the region, its wood-built homes and temples, its scent perfumed the mountain air. Even the British, when planning hill stations, planted Deodars along roads and gardens.

How it can be used now:

With mountain towns battling landslides and climate change, the Deodar’s deep roots and resilience are more vital than ever. Replanting them could stabilise slopes and restore the ecological character of these regions.

Edited by Khushi Arora