In Karnataka, 15 trees were documented as part of The Big Tree Quest. This includes Dodda Alada Mara, a banyan tree considered a living tree, along with others across different parts of the state.
Species: Samanea saman (Rain Tree)
Estimated age: ~200 years (planted around 1824)
The Raintree at the Taj West End is a large, historic tree located within the hotel’s garden property. Planted in the early 1800s, it is considered one of the older surviving trees in the city. The tree has a wide canopy, spreading close to 100 feet, with a thick trunk measuring over seven metres in girth.
Set within the hotel’s landscaped grounds, access to the tree is somewhat restricted, as it lies inside a controlled private space. Despite this, it remains a known landmark and is often included in the property’s heritage walks. The tree is also referred to as the “five o’clock tree,” named after its leaves folding inward toward the evening.
Species: Adansonia digitata (Baobab)
Estimated age: ~2000 years (as locally believed)
Two prominent baobab trees stand in Savanur, located within a temple-like setting. The trees are locally referred to as Gorakhnath Vriksha, associated with a belief that they are linked to the yogi Gorakhnath.
The site attracts visitors from different regions, who come to offer prayers and seek blessings. The trees are part of a space where people gather, meditate, and spend time, with practices continuing around them.
Locally, the trees are believed to be extremely old, with estimates going up to around 2000 years.
Species: Tamarindus indica (Tamarind)
Estimated age: ~100+ years
This tamarind tree located within the University of Mysore campus, is estimated to be over 100 years old and has been identified as one of the heritage trees of Mysuru.
The tree is set away from the main areas and not easily accessible without guidance
Species: Bombax ceiba (Red Silk Cotton / Semal)
Estimated age: ~120+ years (planted around 1900)
This red silk cotton tree in Curzon Park is one of the largest of its kind in the area. Planted around 1900, it has grown into a tall, massive tree with a thick trunk and a wide canopy spread.
The species can grow up to 45 meters in height and typically flowers in early spring, producing bright red blooms that attract birds and other nectar-feeding species. By late season, the flowers give way to fruit and the canopy returns to full foliage. Seasonal variation in flowering can differ across regions.
Species: Ceiba pentandra (White Silk Cotton / Kapok)
Estimated age: ~200–300 years
The white silk cotton tree in Lalbagh is one of the older and larger specimens within the garden. Estimated to be over two centuries old, it has grown into a tall tree with a thick trunk and prominent buttress roots.
The species can reach heights of 25–30 meters and is known for its seasonal flowering, producing large blooms followed by pods filled with cotton-like fibres. During flowering periods, the tree often appears sparse, with most of its leaves shed.
Located near the West Gate area, it remains a well-known botanical feature within Lalbagh.
Species: Ficus benghalensis (Banyan)
Estimated age: Not precisely documented
The banyan tree near Nandagad is associated with the execution of Sangolli Rayanna, a prominent figure in the resistance against the British. He was hanged at this location on January 26, 1831.
The tree continues to stand at the site, with Rayanna’s samadhi located nearby. It is recognized as a place connected to this historical event and is visited in remembrance.
Species: Ficus religiosa (Peepal)
Estimated age: ~160+ years
A 160+ year young Peepal tree in the Mysore University campus, beside Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, stands listed among Mysore’s heritage trees.
The Wadiyars are believed to have prayed under this tree during their rule.
Its scale is hard to capture in pictures. Beneath it sits a Buddha statue that feels dwarfed by the tree’s presence.
Species: Adansonia digitata (Baobab)
Estimated age: Not precisely documented
An ancient baobab tree stands in the Yogapur area of Vijayapura, identified as one of the older trees in the region. It is a large specimen with a thick trunk and a prominent girth.
The species is not native to India and is believed to have been introduced through historical movement of people. The tree is also noted for distinct hand-like impressions visible on its bark.
Species: Ficus benghalensis (Banyan)
Estimated age: ~400 years
Dodda Alada Mara is one of the largest banyan trees in Karnataka, spread across roughly 3 acres. It has developed into a vast, interconnected structure supported by over a thousand aerial roots, giving it the appearance of a dense grove rather than a single tree.
The original central trunk is no longer present, having decayed over time. The existing structure is sustained by secondary trunks formed from aerial roots that have taken hold in the ground.
The tree is located just off the Bengaluru–Mysuru highway and has been developed as a tourist site, with pathways, seating areas, and controlled entry. It continues to attract visitors due to its scale and accessibility, and is particularly active with bird life during fruiting season.
Species: Tamarindus indica (Tamarind)
Estimated age: ~400+ years (select trees)
The Nallur Tamarind Grove is a 54-acre site near Devanahalli, known for its cluster of around 300 tamarind trees. Several of these trees are centuries old, with one “patriarch” tree estimated to be over 400 years old.
The trees have developed thick, gnarled trunks, with some showing hollow sections large enough to accommodate a person. The grove is recognized as India’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, declared in 2007.
Species: Ficus benghalensis (Banyan)
Estimated age: Not precisely documented
Along a 4-km stretch between Kudur and Hulikal in Karnataka stands a continuous row of banyan trees planted by Saalumarada Thimmakka and her husband, Chikkaiah. A total of 385 trees were planted and nurtured over several years.
The couple raised the trees over time by carrying water and protecting them from cattle, gradually building the stretch into a shaded roadside canopy.
Saalumarada Thimmakka later received national recognition for this work, including the Padma Shri in 2019.
Species: Fossilized conifer (Coniferophyta sp.)
Estimated age: ~20 million years
Lalbagh Botanical Garden houses a petrified tree trunk estimated to be around 20 million years old, dating back to the Miocene period. The fossil is displayed near the Glass House within the garden.
The specimen was sourced from the fossil site at Tiruvakkara in Tamil Nadu. It is preserved through petrification, where the original wood structure has been replaced by minerals while retaining its form.
Species: Tamarindus indica (Tamarind)Species: Tamarindus indica (Tamarind)
Estimated age: ~885–900 years
The tamarind tree at Devar Hippargi is considered one of the oldest surviving trees in Karnataka. Estimated to be close to 900 years old, it stands as a long-standing natural landmark in the region.
Located just outside the Shree Mallayya Temple, the tree is closely associated with the site and remains a prominent feature of the area. It has grown into a large, mature structure over centuries, with a broad canopy and significant height, reportedly reaching around 70–75 feet.
Species: Plumeria rubra (Frangipani / Champa)
Estimated age: ~150–160 years
This frangipani tree, estimated to be over 150 years old, stands within the Vittala Temple complex in Hampi, near the well-known stone chariot. It is one of the few trees within the largely open and stone-dominated landscape of the site.
The surrounding area has minimal tree cover, making this one of the only visible trees within the complex. The species is known for its fragrant flowers and branching structure. The tree is a commonly photographed feature within the site.
Species: Ziziphus mauritiana (Jujube / Ber)
Estimated age: ~100 years
The jujube tree located within the Tamil Sangham School campus in Mysuru is a mature tree of its kind. Estimated to be around 100 years old, it has grown larger than most ber trees typically seen, with a wide canopy spread across the school grounds.
The species is usually smaller in size, but this tree has expanded significantly over time. It is locally known as Yelachi Mara.
The tree has been identified among heritage trees in Mysuru. It is situated within an active school campus, where ongoing development pressures have raised concerns about its preservation.