by Iqbal Ahmad
The writer, after much searching, could not find a single living specimen of Dood Fraste in his locality. He appeals to readers to share any evidence of its survival if they come across it.
Most of the glorious and traditional varieties of local arboriculture have been forgotten, with hardly any effort at either the public or official level to conserve them. A striking example is the white poplar, locally known as Dood Frast, which has almost disappeared from the valley.
Its last traces are rarely encountered today. Once celebrated for its bark of striking colours and for its graceful leaves, the tree was known locally as the bride of trees. It enriched the valley’s environment and was considered friendly to the land. Yet its slower growth could not compete with the rapid spread of Russian and Bulgarian poplar, species that not only displaced native trees but also spread pollution through their cotton-like seeds.
The cultivation of the white poplar has vanished from local nurseries. Surveys reveal that for several decades, no major nursery has grown this tree. Its few surviving specimens in village lands have also faded away.
Arborists describe it as a medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching heights of 16 to 27 metres, occasionally more, with trunks up to two metres wide and broad, rounded crowns. Its bark was smooth, greenish-white to greyish-white, marked with dark diamond shapes on young trees, turning black and fissured at the base as the tree aged. Young shoots carried a whitish-grey down, and even the buds were covered with it.
The leaves measured between 4 and 15 centimetres, five-lobed, with a dense white down on both sides that remained on the underside until autumn. Larger, deeply lobed leaves grew on young trees, while older ones bore smaller, less lobed leaves. Flowers appeared as catkins up to eight centimetres long in early spring.
Known scientifically as Populus alba, the white poplar was also called Kabuli Fraste. Experts suggest it was first cultivated in Afghanistan and introduced to Kashmir during the Mughal period, where the soil and climate proved favourable. Farmers often planted it along agricultural boundaries, riverbanks, and village streams, particularly near rice fields. The Afghan origin of the tree explains its local name, but it should not be confused with the silver poplar, also brought from Kabul, which is a different species.
Although introduced, the Dood Frast became one of Kashmir’s most admired trees, covering the plains with shades of white and green.
Local arboriculture reveals three main varieties of poplar. The first, Kushur Fraste, grows slowly but produces tall, straight, heavy timber and has long been prized for construction. Known as the king of local trees, its stem is soft and thick, while its small leaves carry a deep blue hue. The second variety, Kabul Fraste, is the silver poplar. It grows faster than Kushur Fraste, with green leaves and stems, and stands tall and straight. Introduced from Kabul, it is still recognised by that name. The third is the Dood Fraste, the whitest of all, resembling milk in colour.
Unlike the other two, it did not grow tall or straight but was admired for its shining whiteness and large leaves. It was planted for beauty rather than commerce, with its wood used mainly as firewood. It thrived at elevations between 5,000 and 7,500 feet, flourishing in the moderate climate of the valley. The tree was also common in Dardistan, and its last remnants are still reported in Gilgit and Baltistan.
The commercialisation of tree cultivation has led to the neglect of slow-growing species. As a result, traditional varieties such as Kushur, Kabul, and Dood Fraste have declined sharply. Nursery growers turned their attention to fast-growing species, abandoning the older ones. While occasional examples of Kushur and Kabul Fraste can still be found along roadsides and streams, the white poplar has almost entirely vanished from its homeland.
The writer, after much searching, could not find a single living specimen of Dood Fraste in his locality. He appeals to readers to share any evidence of its survival if they come across it.
The forest and floriculture departments are urged to trace any surviving examples of this tree and conserve them. Efforts must be made to restore the culture of planting these traditional trees. Alongside Dood Fraste, other neglected species such as Brimji and Brin should also be declared heritage trees, like the recognition given to the Chinar.
(The writer is a senior archaeologist and author. Ideas are personal.)
