At the beginning of this very long month, we held our annual monsoon tree festival, The August Tree Festival 2025. It was special in many ways – a bigger number of observations in 10 days than ever before, tree walks conducted despite the rains and participation from new states!
Here are some highlights and all the results from this monsoon festival:

Overview

August Tree festival celebrated monsoon trees, and how! Compared to the very rain-washed August festival in 2024, this time round, SeasonWatch contributors celebrated trees grandly by adding 11,152 observations from 25 states and union territories! Here’s how they are distributed across the country:
Kerala tops the festival yet again with 7,220 observations. Madhya Pradesh takes the second place with 1,249 observations, and Tamil Nadu maintains third place with 942 observations. Karnataka and Odisha make it to the top states of this festival. Here’s how all of them did:

Of these 11,152 observations, 7638 are casual and 3514 are regular observations. 161 tree species out of 172 species of SeasonWatch were observed. Mango keeps the crown of “Most Observed Species” with 1428 observations. Jackfruit with 708 observations and Neem with 530 observations make the top three species of the festival. Peepal, due to the Ficus Frenzy challenge, is the fourth most observed species with 506 observations, followed by Coconut, a usual favourite, with 503 observations. Here’s how the rest of the species appear in this tree festival:

Festival Highlights

Despite the rainy situation everywhere, Mittal and Aravind conducted their second tree walk in Bangalore:

Aparna from Delhi teamed up with Aparajita and conducted their first tree walk at Sanjay Van:

(Photo by Hardik)

As the weather settles, more sessions such as this Nature Journaling circle in Delhi are coming up. Check out more about this session below and sign up here: 

Stay tuned for updates on our Instagram page and find an event (or organise one) in your city!

Festival Challenges

As always, this August Tree Festival had three challenges – the usual 100-not-out and the seasonal ‘Ficus Frenzy’ and ‘Feather Glory’ challenges. Here’s how they went:

100-not-out

The challenge requires the contributors to observe over 200 trees in the 10 days of the festival. 4 individuals (Surendhar Boobalan, Arnab Kumar Samanta, K. S. Lyla and Aravind), 1 college (Rajapalayam Rajus’ College) and 13 schools (M.T.S.S.K.G.U.P.School, Alangad Jama-ath Public School- Karumalloor, A. U. P. school Panamanna H. U. P. S. Eramallikkara, D. N. O. U. P. School, O. A. V.Gudari, Government Boys H. S. S. Aluva, OPISKQD Gandhi Smarak U. P. School, Blossom English School- Kainatty, Govt. HSS Chala- Kannur and Govt L. P. School, Thennady), completed this challenge.
Thank you so much for your wonderful contributions!

Winners

FES Anjaniya (SHT Mandla), with an astounding 941 observations and M. T. S. S. K. G. U. P. School, with 861 observations, are the winners of this challenge.
Many congratulations to the FES Anjaniya (SHT Mandla) group, Annamma Teacher and her students on this incredible feat!

Ficus Frenzy

This seasonal challenge focuses on the five Ficus species on the SeasonWatch list, namely Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Soft Fig (Ficus mollis), Punjab Fig (Ficus palmata), Country Fig (Ficus racemosa) and Peepal (Ficus religiosa). Punjab Fig is found in the foothills of the Himalayas, while Soft Fig is found on the Deccan Plateau and other dry regions of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha – Reference)

Among these, the contributors are to observe as many individuals as possible of 2 or more Ficus species. 50 individuals, schools and colleges completed this challenge. 1096 observations were recorded on the 5 Ficus species, of which the beloved and omnipresent Peepal is the most observed, with 506 observations. This is followed by Banyan (303), Country Fig (246), Soft Fig (29) and Punjab Fig (12).

Of these, all observations of Punja Fig and almost all observations of the Soft Fig are misidentified – we know this because these species were reported from places where they are not found at all. These observations, unfortunately, will have to be disqualified 🙁

Phenology

Nonetheless, this data can still tell us about the seasonality of the 5 Ficus species of SeasonWatch. Here’s a comparison of the percentage of fruiting Ficus species in 2022, 2024 and 2025:

Figs seem to be fruiting at a consistent 30-32% across the three years of the tree festival. Is that because this is not the right season for most trees to be fruiting? Or is it because a few figs (not most trees in any given place) are always fruiting at some point in the year?
What do you think about these results?
Figs are so fascinating! They have a bunch of tricks up their sleeve to ensure that their tiny pollinator – the fig wasp – does their job. Would you like to know more about how figs do this? Drop us a word in the comments below.

Winners

The individual and school that made the most observations on the SeasonWatch Ficus species are Aravind AM from Karnataka, 58 observations and Alangad Jama-ath Public School, Karumalloor, Kerala, 134 observations.
Congratulations on this terrific contribution!

Feather Glory

The focus of this seasonal challenge is 4 tree species with feathery compound leaves, namely, Babool (Vachellia nilotica), Siris (Albizia lebbeck), Chinese lantern tree (Dichrostachys cinerea) and the Badminton-ball tree (Parkia biglandulosa). Siris and Babool are found all over the country, the Chinese Lantern tree inhabits the Deccan plateau (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu – Reference) and desert ecologies of the country, while the Bandminton-ball tree is an exotic ornamental avenue tree of the urban regions.
498 observations were recorded on the feathery species. Siris, being widely distributed and easier to identify, gathered 354 observations, followed by the underrated Babool (115), Chinese Lantern tree (26) and the easily missable Badminton-ball tree (3).
44 individuals, schools and colleges participated in this challenge. Only Aravind AM of Karnataka and Alangad Jama-ath Public School, Karumalloor, Kerala observed all 4 species of the challenge. Great job!

Phenology

We look at the new leaf phenology of the feather glory species. In 2023, 98% of the observed trees showed new leaves. In 2024, it came down to 86.25%. Now in 2025, 88.96% of the observed trees have new leaves. Here’s how these observations are distributed across India:

What can we conclude from these observations?
Here is something interesting – there are way more trees that were observed in 2024 and 2025. Do you think these patterns are more reliable than the one in 2023?

Winners

You would have guessed who won this challenge. Yes, Aravind AM, with 36 observations, and Alangad Jama-ath Public School, Karumalloor, with 188 observations, are the winners!
Heartiest congratulations!

Contributors

The response to this tree festival had Team SeasonWatch dancing with joy! We congratulate and shout a big thank you to every individual, student, teacher and tree enthusiast who choose SeasonWatch to engage with and document the trees around them. We hope to see your continued participation in this quest to understand the climate change impact in our neighbourhoods.

Individuals (67)

Aadidev .S (2), Aarnav Menon (9), Abel Rajeev (2), Abishek (1), Akshay M (3), Amitha (4), Anand Shankar (3), Anargh Devadath (23), Anet (59), Ankit Shakya (11), Ankita (2), Aravind (368), Arnab Kumar Samanta (8), Aswani T A (2), Ayisha Reem V P (1)
Binoy Chutia (2)
CPN Shreyash (8)
Devendh SP (4), Divitajain (3)
FES Anjaniya (SHT Mandla) (941), FES Bichhiya (SHT Mandla) (36), FES Niwas (SHT Mandla) (17), [fesanjaniya@gmail.com](mailto:fesanjaniya@gmail.com) (66), FES-Mandla (5)
Haemanthus\_23 (2), Hari Haran P (4), Himanshu Lad (5), Hussain Ebrahim (20)
Ishan Mishra (1)
J Kamila Begum (8), Jegadeesh (4), Jigu (4), Johan Gevin Reji (1), Jowin (1)
K.S. Lyla (437), Kalaipriya (35), Kaviya (37)
Madan Sharma (20), Malarselvi (3), Mihra Fathima (1), Minha Mehrin M (2), Mittal Gala (11), Munthasir (5)
Niranjan RN (51), Niya (1), Nizar K (3)
P R Ramji (15), P S Baiju (6), P. Chitralekha (30), P. Rajangam (16), Prashant Somwanshi (15), Purnimaanup (22)
Ramana Kumar Kandula (10), Rathika K (3), Renuka S (10), Rupali (5)
S Vishnu Sankar (106), S. Deepiksha (3), Safa Fathima (4), Sanila Samuel (13), Sanved Krishna (10), Saurabh (3), Savewildlifeshubham (4), Saw John Aung Thong (17), Sayee Girdhari (58), Sbkamat (6), [Seasunwhach1234@gmail.com](mail to: Seasunwhach1234@gmail.com) (7), Selvaganesh (1), Shivajith T (6), Shivapriya M (3), Sivanya Santhosh (1), Sonukumar055 (1), Sreekanth (20), Srini (6), Subhashini Krishnan (4), Suhel Quader (30), Suhirtha Muhil M (2)
Tanmay Chauhan (2), Treewatch172 (14)
Usha Yadav (61)
Vaishali S P (4), Vanisudam (1), Vijay Dixit (2)
WWF Godavari Landscape (35)
Yadunandhan (1)
Zunoon Ahmed (2)
33120101005 (1)

Schools (142)

A. M. U. P. S. Akode Virippadam (6), A. U. P. S. Mangattukara (11), Aliya Senior Secondary School, Paravanadukkam, Kasaragod (2), A. P. P. M. V. H. S. S. Avaneeswaram (1), Alangad Jama-ath Public School, Karumalloor (647), A. M. L. P. S. Chennara (46), A. M. U. P. Kooriyad (1), A. P. P. M. V. H. S. S. Avaneeswaram, Kunnikode (1), A. U. P. School Panamanna (499), Apsara Public School (3), Assumption A. U. P. School (42), Athar Jamath High School, Karumbukadai, Coimbatore (2), A. U. P. School Manisseri (8), A. V. N. H. S. Periye (4),
Balikamariyam L. P. S. Kollam (3), Baselius Augen Public School (7), Bemannur G. U. P. S., Paruthippulli (10), Bharath E. M. U. P. School, Poinachi (3), Bhavan Bangalore Press School (1), Billiards International Islamic School, Uppala (18), Blooming Buds Bethania Senior Secondary School, Marathamcode (2), Blossom English School, Kainatty (250), B. T. M. O. U. P. School, Elamaram (111),
Carmel Jyothi Special School, Machiplave (34), Chavara Darsan C. M. I. Public School, Koonamavu (2),
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kanhangad (35), Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Nileshwar (3), C. H. S. S. Selvapuram (8), Corporation High School, Ramasamy Nagar (3),
D. N. O. U. P. School (383), Demhss Thalangara (1),
G. L. P. S. Thaliyaparambu (1), G. U. P. S. Kodal (3), G. G. H. S. S. Kannyakulangara (3), G. H. S. Rasipalayam (1), G. U. P. S. (9), Gandhi Smarak U. P. School (272), G. F. H. S. S. Kuzhithura (4), G. H. S. Kalichanadukkam (1), G. H. S. Nathagoundenpudur (5), G. H. S. Nellarachal (2), G. H. S. Saravanampatti (2), G. H. S. S. Asokapuram Model School (5), G. H. S. S. Balla East (3), G. H. S. S. Karuvarakundu (1), G. H. S. S. Kunhome (11), G. K. S. Govt. V. H. S. S. Vellanadu (36), G. L. P. S. Anaprampal (7), G. L. P. S. Aroor (138), G. L. P. S. Kunjathur (2), G. L. P. S. Peechamcode (1), G. L. P. S. Peechi (10), G. L. P. S. Thennady (1), G. L. P. S. Vavvakkavu (111), G. M. H. S. S. Varkala (37), Government Boys H. S. S. Aluva (301), Government Higher Secondary School (2), Government U. P. S. Poozhikkad (168), Govt. H. S. S. Chala, Kannur (232), Govt. L. P. S. Vaikom Town (3) , G. U. P. S. (5), G. U. P. S. Bheemanad (7), G. U. P. S. Chengara (40), G. U. P. S. Chunakkara (2), G. U. P. S. Kaprassery (4), G. U. P. S. Nalilamkandam (5), G. U. P. S. Paravur (1), G. U. P. S. Pudukai (4), G. U. P. S. Purarhur (9), G. U. P. S. Vilappilsala (5), G. U. P. S. Muliyar Mappila, Kasaragod (53), G. V. H. S. S. Elanthoor (1), G. V. H. S. S. Iriyana (8), G. V. H. S. S. Kuniya (2),
H. U. P. S. Eramallikkara (419), Holy Cross H. S. S. Thellakom (2),
I. E. M. H. S. S. Pallikkara (1), Islahiya Public School, Kottakkal (4),
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (7),
Kayaralam A. U. P. School (19), K. C. M. U. P. School Kuruvattur (35), K. H. S. S. Thokkilangadi (3), K. K. M. G. V. H. S. S. (118), K. M. J. Central School, Vadakkevila, Kollam (1), K. P. M. Model School (93), K. T. C. T. H. S. S. Kaduvayil (22),
L. F. U. P. S. Venappara (20),
M. T. S. S. K. G. U. P. School (861), Malabar English School (70), Mankara West Basic U. P. School (3), Mar Baselios Maruthamonpally (1), Mar Thoma Public School, Edachira, Kakkanad (1), Maranna Gowder High School (9), M. E. S. H. S. S. Mannarkkad (22), M. K. H. S. S. Vengoor (2), Muslim H. S. S. Kangazha (1),
N. S. S. H. S. S. Prakkulam (75), Njavakkad L. P. S. (3), N. S. H. S. (6),
O. A. V. Gudari (375), Opiskqd (289), Our Lady’s Convent Girls’ High School (6),
Peace Public School, Kottakkal (8), Penile Central School (6), Poilkave H. S. S. (40),
R. S. M. H. S. Pazhangalam (1),
S. V. H. S. Pandanad (15), Sadguru Public School, Kanhangad (13), S. A. L. P. School Kottathara (44), Sapphire Central School (11), S. F. A. H. S. S. Arthungal (18), S. M. L. P. S. Kaliyar (17), S. N. L. P. School Koottar (36), South Kuthuparamba U. P. School (9), Sr. Alphonsa U. P. S. Chennamattom (5), Sri Gopal Naidu Hr. Sec. School (5), St. Gems (8), St. George Public School, Mannoor (10), St. Gregorios English Medium School (91), St. Joseph C. G. U. P. School (61), St. Mary’s English Medium School, Cherupanathady (13), St. Mary’s U. P. School, Vendore (4), St. Augustine H. S. S. Kuttanellur (3), St. Joseph’s Nazareth School, Manampuzha (3), St. Mary’s Convent Girls’ High School, Ollur (119), St. Francis Assisi Higher Secondary School, Arthunkal (12), St. Francis U. P. School, Amballoor (1), St. Joseph’s English Medium School, Puthanangadi (25), St. Mary’s U. P. School, Vendore (6), St. Mary’s Jnanodaya English School, Maicavu (8), St. Philomena’s High School (15), St. Sebastian’s L. P. School, Poroor (57), S. V. V. H. S. S. Thamarakudy (1),
Thirumoolavilasam U. P. S. (6), Town U. P. S. Kayamkulam (6), Tynring Presbyterian Higher Secondary School (1),
U. M. L. P. S. Thiruvilwamala (142),
V. V. H. S. S. Thamarakulam (33), Veeravanchey L. P. School (30), (blank) (655)

Colleges (9)

Chanderbala Modi Academy (112), College of Agriculture, Tripura (2),
District Institute of Education and Training, Lawspet (25),
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (4),
Indian Statistical Institute, North-East Centre, Tezpur, Assam (32),
Rajapalayam Rajus’ College (220), Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College of Arts, Science & Commerce (4),
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (32), The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (38)