The Okhar tree, commonly known as the walnut tree, is a valuable deciduous tree found in the hilly and mountainous regions of Nepal and other parts of the Himalayas. Its scientific name is Juglans regia, and it belongs to the Juglandaceae family. In Nepali, it’s called “ओखर” (Okhar).
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🌳 Description of the Okhar Tree:
• Height & Structure: The okhar tree can grow up to 30 meters tall with a wide, spreading crown.
• Leaves: The leaves are large, pinnate (feather-like), and aromatic when crushed.
• Bark: Its bark is grey and becomes rough and furrowed with age.
• Flowers: It is a monoecious plant, meaning male and female flowers grow on the same tree.
• Fruits (Walnuts): The fruit is a hard-shelled nut inside a green, fleshy husk. Once mature, the husk splits, and the nut falls out.
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🌰 Uses of the Okhar Tree:
1. Nuts (Walnuts):
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants.
• Consumed raw, roasted, or used in sweets and baked goods.
• Widely used in traditional medicine to improve brain function and heart health.
2. Wood:
• Highly valued for making furniture, carvings, gunstocks, and musical instruments.
• Durable, easy to work with, and has a beautiful grain pattern.
3. Leaves & Bark:
• Have medicinal properties, used in herbal remedies for skin problems, inflammation, and digestive issues.
4. Cultural Importance:
• In some Nepali cultures, okhar nuts are used during festivals like Tihar (especially Bhai Tika), symbolizing prosperity and health.
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🌱 Ecological Importance:
• Provides shade and improves soil quality.
• The leaves, when decomposed, add nutrients to the soil.
• However, the roots and leaves also contain juglone, a chemical that can inhibit the growth of some nearby plants.
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🏔️ Where it Grows:
• Grows best in cool, temperate climates.
• Commonly found in elevations between 1,200 to 3,000 meters in Nepal.
• Prefers well-drained, fertile soil and sunny locations.
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🧠 Fun Fact:
The term “walnut” comes from the Old English wealhhnutu, meaning “foreign nut” – because the tree was introduced from southern Europe or Asia.
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If you’d like, I can also write a Nepali version of this or focus on its cultivation and farming.