---
type: "Chapter"
knowledge_type: "chapter"
entity_type: "chapter"
id: "66f151c9e361cd99fe36936f"
title: "Felling of the Banyan Tree"
board: "CBSE"
curriculum: "CBSE"
class: "Class 11"
subject: "English"
book: "Woven Words"
chapter: "Felling of the Banyan Tree"
chapter_slug: "felling-of-the-banyan-tree"
canonical_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-11-english-woven-words-felling-of-the-banyan-tree"
markdown_url: "https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-11-english-woven-words-felling-of-the-banyan-tree.md"
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source_id: "66f151c9e361cd99fe36936f"
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source: "Edzy"
version: 1
last_updated: "2026-06-22"
---

# Felling of the Banyan Tree
The chapter "Felling of the Banyan Tree" by Dilip Chitre narrates the emotional turmoil surrounding the removal of a significant banyan tree, reflecting on family actions and the sacredness of nature.

---

## Knowledge Snapshot

| Field | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Felling of the Banyan Tree |
| Pages | 132-134 |

---

## Chapter Summary

### Short Summary
The chapter recounts the experience of a family as they witness the felling of a majestic banyan tree, revealing complexities of nature versus human decisions.

### Detailed Summary
The protagonist's father orders the eviction of tenants and the demolition of houses, but the banyan tree remains for a time. Despite the grandmother's belief in the sacredness of trees, the father proceeds to cut down other trees, making the banyan tree a problem to confront. Its immense size and history are gradually revealed as workmen take down its branches and later its trunk, exposing its age and the loss tied to its demise. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the absence of trees in Bombay, evoking a sense of longing.

---

## Topic-Wise Explanation

### Destruction of the Surroundings
The demolition of surrounding houses and trees symbolizes a broader theme of destruction in nature and community.

### Sacred Significance of Trees
Trees, especially mentioned by the grandmother, are portrayed as sacred entities whose removal is viewed as a crime.

### The Banyan Tree
The banyan tree serves as the focal point of the narrative, representing longevity, memory, and the connection to the past.

### The Process of Felling
The methodical approach to cutting down the banyan tree illustrates both the labor involved and the emotional weight of such an act.

### Emotional Impact of Tree Felling
The felling of the banyan tree evokes complex emotions, including terror and fascination, highlighting the conflict between humans and nature.

### Contemporary Concerns
The chapter raises concerns regarding urbanization and the disregard for nature, particularly as experienced in urban landscapes like Bombay.

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## Character Analysis
The chapter primarily reflects the actions and decisions of the father and grandmother, where the father's decisions lead to the destruction of nature while the grandmother embodies a respect for trees.

---

## Core Ideas

| Idea | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- |
| Human-Nature Conflict | The chapter depicts the tension between human actions and the natural world, particularly in urban development. |

---

## Key Concepts

| Concept | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Sacredness of Trees | The idea that trees possess inherent value worthy of protection and reverence. |

---

## Important Points for Revision

* The banyan tree was cut down despite its historical significance.
* The grandmother's belief highlights cultural views on nature.
* The father’s actions reflect modern urbanization consequences.
* Emotional responses include terror and fascination in witnessing destruction.
* The contrast between Baroda's nature and Bombay's urban landscape is significant.
* The narrative showcases the inevitability of loss in modernization.
* Historical depth revealed through tree rings illustrates continuity of life.
* The tree felling indicates a severing of ancestral ties to the land.

---

## Vocabulary and Glossary

| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Aerial roots | Roots that grow downwards from the branches of some trees into the soil. |

---

## Practice Questions

### Short Answer Questions
1. What happened to the tenants living near the protagonist's house?
2. How did the protagonist's grandmother view the felling of trees?
3. Describe the size comparison of the banyan tree to the protagonist's house.
4. How long did the process of cutting down the banyan tree take?
5. What emotions did the narrator experience while watching the tree being felled?

### Long Answer Questions
1. Analyze the symbolism of the banyan tree in the context of the narrative.
2. Discuss the themes of urbanization and environmentally responsible decisions as depicted in the chapter.
3. Reflect on the emotional impacts of nature’s destruction in the story.

---

## Related Concepts
None

---

## Source Attribution

| Field | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Source | Edzy |
| Reference Type | examSubjectBookChapter |
| Reference ID | 66f151c9e361cd99fe36936f |
| Canonical URL | https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-11-english-woven-words-felling-of-the-banyan-tree |
| Markdown URL | https://www.edzy.ai/okf/chapter/cbse-class-11-english-woven-words-felling-of-the-banyan-tree.md |