Bahar (WIMCO)
A leading WIMCO-selected Populus deltoides clone used across the north-Indian poplar belt, valued for uniform growth and its historical suitability to the matchbox industry that WIMCO Seedlings was originally set up to serve.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Poplar
- Type
- ETP / clonal cutting
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- 5–7 year rotation
- Expected yield
- High; uniform bole growth
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- A WIMCO-selected Populus deltoides clone, released for north-Indian farm-poplar cultivation
About this variety
Bahar is a WIMCO-selected Populus deltoides clone, planted alongside G-48 and Uday across the Indo-Gangetic poplar belt of Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh. It has a strong history in the matchbox veneer trade — the industry WIMCO was originally set up to supply — and is now equally used for plywood and packing-wood buy-back plantings. Planted as bare-root Entire Transplants (ETPs) in the leafless winter, on a 5–7 year rotation.
Key characteristics
Sowing & cultivation
- Spacing5 × 4 m (about 200 trees/acre)
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
5–7 year rotation
Expected yield
High; uniform bole growth
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- Moderate
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Long track record in the matchbox and plywood veneer industry
- Uniform tree-to-tree growth eases block-level felling and grading
- Accepted under WIMCO buy-back agreements alongside G-48 and Uday
Things to consider
- Assured irrigation is essential throughout the rotation
- Poplar defoliator watch is critical in the first three years
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Uttarakhand
- Uttar Pradesh
Sourced from: Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. editorial policy.