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Melia azedarach: Chinaberry

, , , Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, andDrew McLean
Contacts: Michael Andreu

Release Date: 4/28/2019

Reviewed At: 11/30/2018

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-ST406-1993

Urban Horticulture

Abstract

Chinaberry is a round, deciduous, shade tree, reaching 30 to 40 feet at maturity and growing five to 10 feet during the first and second year after seed germination. Growth slows as the tree reaches 15 or 20 feet tall. It is successfully grown in a wide variety of situations, including alkaline soil where other trees might fail. Truly an urban survivor, Chinaberry has become naturalized in much of the south.

About this Publication

This document is ENH-565, one of a series of the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2018. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

How to Cite

Gilman, E., & Watson, D. (2018). Melia azedarach: Chinaberry. EDIS, 2018(6). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-st406-1993

Authors

Edward F. Gilman
Edward F. Gilman

professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Horticulture

Deborah Hilbert
Deborah Hilbert

biological scientist and alum, Environnmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL 

Dennis G. Watson
Dennis G. Watson

former associate professor, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL

Ryan Klein
Ryan Klein
Specialist
University of Florida

assistant professor, arboriculture, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences

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Andrew Koeser
Andrew Koeser
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, landscape management, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL

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Drew McLean
Drew McLean
staff
University of Florida

biological scientist, Center for Land Use Efficiency, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma FL.

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Contacts

Michael Andreu
Michael Andreu
Contact
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, forest systems, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences

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Publication #ENH-565

Melia azedarach