Sal (Sakhua)KharifStump (nursery-raised)Updated 26 September 2026

Stump Planting (Nursery-Raised)

Nursery-raised sal seedlings are cut back to a stump (15–20 cm shoot + 20–25 cm taproot) before planting in the field at monsoon onset. This standard forestry technique gives better survival than direct seeding and is the most common planting method for sal in government afforestation programmes.

SeasonKharif

Maturity period30+ year rotation to full-value timber

Expected yieldGood; higher establishment rate than direct seeding when stumps are correctly prepared

Suitable soilWell-drained alluvial to laterite

Quick facts

Crop: Sal (Sakhua)
Type: Stump (nursery-raised)
Season: Kharif
Maturity period: 30+ year rotation to full-value timber
Expected yield: Good; higher establishment rate than direct seeding when stumps are correctly prepared
Suitable soil: Well-drained alluvial to laterite
Release: Standard forestry propagation technique; no varietal release applicable

About this variety

Stump planting is the standard large-scale planting technique for sal (Shorea robusta) used by state forest departments and social forestry divisions. Seeds are collected fresh (April–June) and sown immediately in nursery beds. After 12–18 months, when the seedling has developed a strong taproot, it is lifted, the shoot is pruned to 15–20 cm, the taproot is trimmed to 20–25 cm, and any lateral roots are clipped. The resulting "stump" is transported bare-root — much cheaper and lighter than polybag seedlings — and planted into prepared pits at the onset of the monsoon. The technique exploits sal's strong coppicing ability: the pruned stump sprouts vigorously from the root collar once monsoon moisture arrives. Establishment rates of 70–85% are typical when planting is timed correctly, compared to 50–70% for direct seeding. This is the method behind most of the sal afforestation carried out under India's National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and various state compensatory afforestation schemes.

Key characteristics

Plant typeStump (nursery-raised)

Maturity30+ year rotation to full-value timber

Yield potentialGood; higher establishment rate than direct seeding when stumps are correctly prepared

Disease resistanceSal is inherently hardy; stump planting adds no specific disease risk beyond standard sal heartwood borer concern in mature timber

SoilWell-drained alluvial to laterite

SeasonKharif

Sowing & cultivation

Spacing3 × 3 m to 5 × 5 m at initial planting, thinned progressively to final crop spacing

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

30+ year rotation to full-value timber

Expected yield

Good; higher establishment rate than direct seeding when stumps are correctly prepared

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

Sal is inherently hardy; stump planting adds no specific disease risk beyond standard sal heartwood borer concern in mature timber

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

Higher establishment rate (70–85%) than direct seeding (50–70%)
Bare-root stumps are cheap to transport — ideal for large-scale afforestation
Exploits sal's strong natural coppicing ability for rapid post-planting recovery
The standard method used by forest departments across sal's entire natural range

Things to consider

Requires 12–18 months nursery lead time before field planting
Stump preparation must be done correctly — over-trimming the root or shoot reduces survival
Planting must coincide precisely with monsoon onset for best results
Not suitable for areas with prolonged waterlogging — sal needs well-drained soil

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

Madhya Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Jharkhand
Odisha
West Bengal
Uttarakhand
Bihar
Uttar Pradesh
Assam

Sourced from: Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur. editorial policy.