Significance of The Walnut Tree

Saladin Chamcha's birth tree, planted the year he was born in the garden of his childhood home at Scandal Point. In Kashmir, where he grew up, the local tradition was to plant a walnut tree which would mature with one's child. When the child becomes an adult, he or she can cut down the tree and sell it to get a financial start in life. However, Chamcha never cuts down his tree. His father keeps watch over the walnut tree after Chamcha moves away to England. Changez claims that the tree guards Saladin's soul and implies that his son can only reclaim his soul if he comes back home to India.