Wood Apple (Bael)- A Fruit of High Medicinal Value

Bael (Aegle marmelos), a plant indigenous to India has been used by the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent for over 5000 years. It is present throughout Southeast Asia as a naturalized species. The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus and is also known as “bilva” or “bilpathre”. Climatic requirements owing to its hard nature, bael tree has a wide adaptability to adverse soil and climatic conditions. It requires subtropical climate where summers are hot and dry and winters are mild. It has a reputation for being able to grow in places that other trees cannot. It copes with a wide range of soil conditions, is tolerant of water logging and has an unusually wide temperature tolerance (from -7°C to 48°C). It requires a pronounced dry season to give fruit.