Wood apple tree 

🌳Wood apple tree

Scientific name: Limonia acidissima

Family: Rutaceae

Common names: Wood Apple, Elephant Apple, Bael (sometimes), Monkey Fruit

🔹 Uses

Edible fruit → raw, juice, sherbet, jams, chutneys

Medicinal → digestive issues, diarrhea, fever, respiratory problems

Wood → fuel, tool handles, small construction

Religious → used in Hindu rituals and offerings

🔹 Ecological Role

Provides dense shade

Adds organic matter to soil → soil fertility

Branches & fruits support bird nesting and dispersal

Carbon sequestration

Drought-tolerant → stabilizes dry soils

🔹 Fun Facts

Called “Elephant Apple” → elephants eat the fruit

Hard woody shell → long shelf life

Leaves aromatic → used in traditional medicine

Slow-growing, long-living (100+ years)

🔹 Cultural Significance

Sacred in Hindu rituals, especially for Lord Shiva

Used in temple offerings and festivals

Symbol of health, longevity, and prosperity

Provides food, medicine, and shade in rural areas

👉 Wood Apple = Fruit-bearing, medicinal, shade-providing, bird-friendly, culturally sacred tree