Azhove: The Weeping Tree in Dimapur

Thursday 26 May 2016

The Weeping Tree in Dimapur

On a hot summer around 30 degrees Celsius on thursday evening at Dimapur near faith hospital, a large number of people came to witness a strange sight. . The water dripping from a coral tree (Erythrina) falling from the tree branches and leaves spread like wild fire in Dimapur, more than hundreds of people rushed to witness the occurrence, which some believed was “supernatural”.

People worshiping the tree bark

The news spread far and wide, many of them came just to get a glimpse of the tree, taking pictures and even selfies on their cellphones.

Many Hindu followers believed it was a miracle and flee to the place from far and near around Dimapur to witness. They did their Puja, drank the water and left.

In an awe miracle, a pandit was spotted with lot's of hindus throwing money and worshiping the tree in the evening, a witness said. Some passerby heard the Hindu priest saying “it was their God telling them to build temple at that spot”.

People doing their puju over the tree

However people living in the vicinity of the tree said it was a yearly occurrence, the source confirms. .

In Angami, we called this tree as Hietobuo, with it people make wheel for wooden vehicle(for kids, years back then...). The water coming out from it is nothing new, it is it's nature in Summer. In early days, people plant this tree in the boundaries so that the water coming out from it will make a small stream (Nala) around the area and leaves a perfect boundary between two. So, nothing is unusual, its Summer Meno Kuotsu said.

Attempting to make a hilarious statement out the tree, Aman Konyak said “It's a sign that dimapurians will get roasted this summer, even the tree has started to sweat”.

A long shot of the scene..

Scientific explanation

The recent bout of rainfall has raised the soil moisture content forcing water into the roots of the tree which is in turn pushed up to the leaves through the xylem. This excess water is extruded through specialized openings in the leaves. This phenomenon is most evident when atmospheric humidity is high, as is now, which reduces water loss through transpiration. In other words, this plant is merely sweating off its excess water content according to Lanu Jamir.