The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra holds more than historical monuments and cultural landmarks. Scattered across its cities and rural landscapes are trees that have stood for over a century, surviving urban expansion, environmental changes, and shifting land use patterns. Some of these have been preserved through deliberate conservation efforts, while others have faced relocation to protect them from infrastructure projects.

These trees serve as markers of time, deeply intertwined with the places they inhabit. Each one carries recorded information about its approximate age, with most figures based on official or media reporting.

While many claims remain unverified by scientific testing, their documentation in civic records and local reports makes them significant for understanding the ecological and cultural continuity of the region.

1. Pirbaba’s Taroda Sacred Grove Banyan, Amravati

Located within the Taroda sacred grove in Amravati district, this banyan is one of the most widely recognised old trees in the region. It is spread over approximately 2.5 acres, creating an expansive canopy that provides shade and a habitat for a variety of birds and insects. Local accounts, supported by repeated media mentions, estimate its age at around 400 years, although there has been no dendrochronological confirmation. The tree is deeply associated with the religious and cultural life of the community, forming part of an area regarded as sacred by residents. Its vast root network and aerial prop roots have expanded over generations, giving it a distinct presence that dominates the grove.

The sheer size of the canopy makes it visible from considerable distances, marking it as a prominent natural landmark. While the exact planting period remains uncertain, the consistent reference to its age in both community and journalistic records places it among Vidarbha’s most historically significant trees.

2. Sitabuldi Banyan, Nagpur

In the central urban area of Sitabuldi, Nagpur, stands a banyan tree reported to be 208 years old. The tree became the subject of public discussion in December 2021 when a notice for its felling was issued, sparking opposition from conservation advocates. Local news reports described it as having been planted in the early 19th century, making it older than many surrounding structures. Its trunk and root system have adapted to the dense urban environment, with branches extending into nearby spaces. The tree’s survival through decades of city development highlights its resilience to changing surroundings. Its large canopy offers shade to pedestrians and shopfronts, while also serving as a minor ecological zone in the middle of a busy marketplace.

During the felling dispute, residents and heritage activists stressed its environmental and cultural importance. The case brought attention to the vulnerability of historically old trees in rapidly developing city centres.

3. Thakkar Gram Pachpaoli Banyan, Nagpur

This banyan tree in the Pachpaoli area of Nagpur is recorded as being 188 years old, according to court-related news coverage in July 2025. It became the centre of a legal dispute over an e-library project, with the proposed plan requiring its transplantation. Located in Thakkar Gram, the tree’s expansive root system and branching canopy have long been part of the local streetscape. The court proceedings highlighted the administrative challenges of balancing public infrastructure needs with environmental preservation. Residents familiar with the area have pointed to the tree’s presence as part of their neighbourhood identity. While the possibility of relocation was explored, concerns over the tree’s survival after transplantation dominated the discussion.

The age figure has been consistently cited in official contexts, making it one of the more reliably documented heritage trees in Nagpur.

4. Katol Road Square Banyan at Gorewada Zoo, Nagpur

Originally located at Katol Road Square, this banyan tree, estimated to be about 180 years old, was transplanted to Gorewada Zoo in 2025. The move was undertaken to preserve the tree during a road development project, and reports suggest it is thriving in its new location. The transplantation was notable for the scale of the operation, requiring specialised equipment and planning to move the massive root system intact. Gorewada Zoo authorities have since incorporated the tree into their landscaped environment, where it serves as a shade-giving centrepiece for visitors. The tree’s age was determined through municipal documentation and reported by major newspapers at the time of its relocation. Its successful transplantation stands as a rare example of an old tree being moved rather than cut down during urban works.

The tree now continues its growth in a protected environment, away from heavy traffic and construction activities.

5. Gorewada Area Banyan, Nagpur

Situated near the Gorewada Zoo precincts, this banyan is reported to be around 150 years old. Local news coverage in 2022 and 2023 documented its restoration after storm damage threatened its stability. The restoration involved structural support to prevent further collapse of weakened branches. The tree is part of a green zone that attracts visitors and supports local biodiversity, providing a nesting site for birds and shade for visitors. Municipal gardeners have taken steps to protect it from further environmental stress, given its age and community value. The size of its trunk and spread of aerial roots indicate a long growth period, aligning with the reported age estimates.

Though it has faced natural damage, its survival underscores the possibility of maintaining century-old trees within city landscapes when protective measures are taken.

6. Peepal from Bhande Plot Chowk to Sheetala Mata Temple, Nagpur

In June 2025, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation transplanted an 84-year-old peepal tree from Bhande Plot Chowk to the Sheetala Mata Temple area. The move was necessitated by planned construction at its original site. Transplanting an old peepal tree presented challenges, as the species is sensitive to root disturbance. Initial reports indicated that the tree had survived the move, but follow-up news in July 2025 confirmed that it had died despite efforts to preserve it. The incident drew attention to the difficulties of moving older trees in urban areas, even with modern techniques.

The age of the peepal was recorded in municipal records, making it one of the few heritage trees with an official age noted before removal from its original location. While it no longer stands, its recorded history remains part of the documented list of old trees in the region.

The documented old trees of Vidarbha represent a diverse range of species, locations, and histories, each reflecting a different aspect of the region’s ecological and cultural continuity. They are found in sacred groves, busy marketplaces, residential streets, and protected green zones, showing how natural heritage coexists with human settlement.

Their recorded ages, whether drawn from municipal archives or court proceedings, give a tangible timeline to the landscapes they inhabit. Relocations, legal disputes, and restoration efforts reveal the ongoing challenges in managing heritage trees in growing urban environments.

While some have been successfully preserved, others have been lost despite intervention, making their recorded histories an important part of the region’s environmental record. The presence of such trees in public awareness ensures that their stories continue to be part of the wider understanding of Vidarbha’s natural and cultural history.