The Kusum tree (Schleichera oleosa) is a medium-sized to large, deciduous tree known for its dense foliage and reddish-yellow new leaves. It's found in South Asia, including India and Sri Lanka, and is valued for its timber, edible seeds, and traditional medicinal uses. The tree is also known for attracting pollinators and preventing soil erosion. 

Key features:

• Size and Shape: Deciduous tree, reaching up to 30 meters tall, with a spreading crown. 
• Bark: Thin, grey, smooth, and brittle, with reddish-brown blazes. 
• Leaves: Paripinnate (with pairs of leaflets) and alternate, with young foliage appearing reddish-yellow. 
• Flowers: Small, yellowish, and densely clustered. 
• Fruit: Ovoid drupe, sharply pointed, 1-2 seeded with a pulpy aril. 
• Habitat: Tolerant of various soil types, including rocky and loamy, but prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. 
• Uses: Kusum oil (from seeds) is used for cooking, traditional medicine (skin ailments, hair growth), and lighting. The bark and leaves have medicinal properties in Ayurvedic practices. Young leaves and shoots are edible. The tree also provides habitat for wildlife and is used in reforestation. 
• Additional points:
• The Kusum tree is known for its resilience to drought and adaptability. 
• Its bright red new leaves are a striking feature. 
• It can be propagated from seeds sown in well-prepared soil. 
• The tree is host to the Kusumi lac insect, which produces lac. 
• The oil extracted from the seeds is a source of fatty acids and also contains a cyanogenic compound.