It has several names depending on the region such as sissoo, sisu, sisau and biradi. Which are the terms commonly used in India, tahli in Punjabi and seeso in Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar. In Pakistan, it is called shisham, in Afghanistan. That is known as shewa and in Persian as jag. Sheesham wood grows on the river banks at about 900m below elevation and 200m above and can range up to 1300 m to 1400m. It grows well in temperatures that range from about 10- 40 degrees Celsius. They grow in soils that are a little saline in nature and have the potential. To endure rainfall that up to 2000mm and even droughts for about three to four months. Wood is dried first before using in the manufacturing process which is also called seasoning.

Natural drying takes up to six months whereas artificially it can be dried in a week to a fortnight. Apart from being used as timber for manufacturing furniture. It also used as a fuel as the wood makes a great source for charcoal used in heating as well as cooking. The twigs are used as toothbrushes. The wood has medicinal properties utilised in the Siddha medicine system for skin disorders and stomach issues. The extract of its fruits is used in pesticides and the juice of its plant is used in the mixture for wall plaster in constructions.