Melia spp.

chinaberry

Meliaceae

Tropical and subtropical Asia and Australasia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–11

Overview

Melia spp. is a small genus of deciduous trees in the mahogany family (Meliaceae), native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific, and most familiar as M. azedarach, the chinaberry or white cedar. Trees grow fast to 20–50 ft (6–15 m) tall with a broad, spreading crown and furrowed bark. The large, bipinnate to tripinnate leaves are divided into many toothed leaflets and cast a light, ferny shade. Loose panicles of fragrant, star-shaped flowers in pale lilac to purple, each with a darker central tube, open in spring. These give way to clusters of round, yellow, marble-sized drupes that hang on the bare branches through winter. All parts, especially the ripe fruit, contain meliatoxins and are poisonous to humans, dogs, and livestock if eaten, though some birds feed on them. The trees tolerate heat, drought, poor soil, and salt, and self-seed and sucker freely, which has made M. azedarach an invasive weed in the southern United States, Australia, and elsewhere. The wood is light and brittle and the branches break in storms. The species is short-lived but quick to cast shade.

Native Range

Melia azedarach is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, from India and China through Southeast Asia, and to northern Australia. It has been planted around the world and has naturalized widely in warm regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fast shade and street tree in warm, dry regions, and the durable, lightweight timber is used for furniture and joinery. The hard seeds are drilled and strung as beads, giving the name bead tree. Because it spreads readily and the fruit is toxic, it is avoided in many areas and removed where it has naturalized.

How to Identify

Recognized by large, twice- or thrice-divided leaves with many toothed leaflets, fragrant lilac flowers in loose sprays, and a spreading crown. Round, yellow, marble-sized fruits hang in clusters and persist on bare branches into winter. The fragrant flowers and ferny foliage separate it from true cedars despite the common name white cedar.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 50'

Width/Spread20' - 40'

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowering comes in spring, with loose panicles of small, star-shaped lilac to purple flowers that carry a sweet scent. Bees and other insects visit the blooms. Yellow drupes follow and ripen through autumn, then persist on the leafless tree over winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

lilac to purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Melia azedarach grows in full sun on almost any well-drained soil, tolerating heat, drought, poor fertility, and coastal salt once established. Growth is fast, and young trees can add several feet a year. The brittle wood breaks in strong wind, so plants are kept away from buildings and high-traffic areas. The tree self-seeds and produces root suckers freely, spreading into bushland and disturbed ground as a weed. All parts, mainly the fruit, are toxic if eaten, which is a concern around children, pets, and stock. In cooler zones the top growth is cut by frost, though established trees often resprout.

Pruning

Trees are pruned in winter while dormant to remove weak, crossing, or storm-damaged branches and to raise the crown. Root suckers and self-sown seedlings are removed through the year to limit spread. Hard-pruned or coppiced trees resprout vigorously from the stump.