Trees in Himalaya

Himalaya is one of the youngest chains of mountains in the world. There are varieties of wild life present in the whole region of Himalayan mountains. The plants are very crucial for many reasons like oxygen, retaining water and maintaining ecological balance in the region. The Himalayan vegetation starts from an altitude of 1500 mtr. up to 4000 mtr. After the altitude of 4000 mtr., the vegetation vanishes due to heavy snowfall causing the damage to all types of plantation. After any high altitude above 4000 mtr., it is very rare to see any type of big plants. 

The Himalaya is full of variety of wildlife species. Trees cover large part of the temperate region of the Himalayan national park. The conifer species are spread across a major part of varying altitude. The few example are cedar, blue pine and spruce etc. Each of the upper coniferous belts has its unique oak characteristic which provides acorns to rodents and birds.

White oak: Pinus roxburghii and blue pine

Green oak: fir and spruce

Brown oak: This forms mainly the pure community at the tree line.

The fungi and the lichens on the oak trees become food for animals and the birds.  Himalayan yew is found in abundance in the fir forest leading to a cool micro climate.

The most attractive and abundantly found flower rhododendron arboretum can be traced between 1500 mtr. To 3000 mtr. There are four species of maple which can be found between 1500 mtr. To 3000 mtr.

Plant species                                                     Altitude (mtr.)

Alder                                                                     1,500 – 2,000

Horse chestnut /khnor                                     1,800 – 3,000

Dogwood                                                             1,800 – 2,800

Pencil Cedar                                                        1,800 – 3,000

Holly / Kaluchha                                                2,000 – 2,800

Deodar / Cedar                                                   2,000 – 3,000

Maple                                                                   2,200 – 3,000

Maple                                                                   2,500 – 3,200

Silver fir / Tosh                                                  2,500 – 3,200

Boxwood / Shamshad                                      2,500 – 3,000

Hazelnut / Bhuti badam                                  2,500 – 3,200

Birch / Bhoj patra                                             3,000 – 4,000

Himalayan high altitude fir                            3,000 – 4,000

The above trees shall be seen any abundance on the trek routes in the Himalayan routes. Many treks may cover almost all the trees and plants. The beauty of the Himalayan trek lies in its wild life,scenic beauty of valleys, mountains, meadows, lakes etc.