Man goes extra mile for neem tree

Chennai: It is not difficult to spot G. Vasudevan's one-storey residence, located at Rangarajapuram main road in Kodambakkam. “If anyone asks for my house, I tell them that house which has a tree running right through its ceiling is mine,” proclaims Vasudevan, a retired mechanical engineer from Hindustan Telecom Limited, Chennai.

In the times that we presently live in, most wouldn't even bat an eyelid when it comes to felling a tree to construct their house. But Vasudevan is different and that is no coincidence.

Though the house was built by his friend and previous owner three years ago, Vasudevan insisted that the 64-year-old neem tree be untouched. He subsequently purchased the house and moved in with his wife, son and his daughter-in-law last year.

Admittedly, it was Vasudevan's indulgence in gardening that paved way for the tree’s continued existence. He says, “A lot of people told me to cut the tree, but I was least interested in their monologues. I grew spinach, hibiscus and flowers in my garden, and as such knew the real value of what I was doing.”

Vasudevan didn't even consult structural experts to gauge any potential stability issues to the house. He says, “Being an engineer, I made sure that the tree posed no problem. If it had, I might have been forced to do something. But since there was not even a crack, I felt that I should just let the tree live.”