Acrocarpus fraxinifolius aka Korangatti

Acrocarpus fraxinifolius is a large tree that sheds its leaves. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. Its common names include shingle tree, pink cedar, and red cedar. It comes from the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Indo-China. It grows in forests by rivers and in mountain rain forests. It also grows in monsoon forests. Growers plant it across the tropics for wood and shade.

This tree grows fast, reaching about 98 feet [30 metres] in gardens. Its spread can reach 72 feet [22 metres]. With good conditions, trees may reach 197 feet [60 metres]. Older trunks form large buttresses at their base. These supports look like planks. The thin bark is light grey. Much of the tall trunk can stay free of branches. Thin branches reach out from the trunk. Roots can reach 15 feet [4.5 metres] deep.

The leaves are bipinnate, with leaflets on two sets of branches. The leaflets have pointed tips and oval to lance-like shapes. New leaves come out bright red, giving a brief flush of colour. Flowers appear while the tree has no leaves. They come in shades of red-orange and pale green. Bees and other insects carry pollen between the flowers. The fruit is a long, flat pod with a narrow wing. A long stalk holds each pod. Both the flowers and young leaves add to the tree's beauty.

The tree suits warm sites with moist air and a short dry spell. The air may stay moist or turn moist with the seasons. It needs shelter from frost and suits USDA zones 10–12. Give it full sun and rich, moist soil that drains well. Young trees can take a little shade. It grows well in loam and tolerates acid and alkaline soil. It grows from sea level into upland areas. It also spreads onto bare ground, burnt patches, and new roadsides.

Plantations grow it for wood and to shade tea and coffee. It also blocks wind and helps hold riverbanks and terraces in place. Fallen leaves serve as mulch and add organic matter to soil. Sources also say it fixes nitrogen. Its size calls for ample space, well away from buildings. Dry branches can break off and fall. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases. They report no known hazards, but this does not prove food safety. PFAF gives it no food or medicinal rating. It also lists no known use as medicine.