Dhonk or Anogeissus pendula in the most important tree of Ranthambhore. A very slow growing, hard wood and highly drought resistant species. It’s small leaves start drying in early winters and are shed by the onset of summers. The leaves are great food for ungulates here.
Sambar and even Spotted deer can reach the lower branches, even if they have to stand on rear legs. Or they eat the leave that are shed on the ground. Spotted deer also follow langurs who drop a lot of leaves.
Once the Dhonk shed their leave totally by mid or end March the forest starts looking like this
If we get a few short spells of rain by the end of summers it grows green leaves again like in this picture of Lahaur valley - #Ranthambhore
In Infrared green dhonk covered hills look like this
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