Melia azedarach or Bead Tree and Mwarubaini nusu will grow in Tanzania from sea level to around 2000m and is often planted as an amenity tree in tropical or subtropical areas. It should not be planted near buildings though because branches break off in strong winds. But it is a useful tree in dry areas.
Description: A small tree up to 10 metres, usually deciduous. Bark is grey but when the tree is older the bark is rough and brownish with bumpy breathing pores. Leaves are compound on branched stalks up to 40 cm long, hanging in terminal bunches. The leaflets are slightly toothed. Flowers are striking lilac in clusters with each small flower having a purple centre. They are mildly fragrant. Fruits are fleshy yellow-orange, oval and in clusters. Each is 1.5cm long and they persist on the tree for a long time. Strip away the flesh to reveal a ribbed, hard bead with 4-6 black seeds inside. The seeds are poisonous.
Uses: Recommended for firewood [I have never burnt it but suggest the smoke may smell], poles, timber, bee fodder, shade, amenity, insecticide and dye.
Propagation: The species is a prolific seeder with 1 500 - 2 000 seeds per kg. They are difficult to extract because the bead is very hard. I cut the bead lengthwise and plant the half, often some seeds are damaged but others will germinate - but irregularly. In the bead, seeds will store foe two years.
The leaves are not browsed by livestock, giving a clue that people should not ingest them though a tea is used for stomach complaints - but you need to know what you are doing!
I put leaves in books and that keeps silverfish at bay. I also put leaves in bags of maize to keep weevils away and that too was successful.
To me the tree looks a bit scrawny without leaves, but for conservation it is a good tree to use. In many parts of Africa it has naturalized but I did find that harvesting seed took a long time. Looking for seedlings in the wild proved difficult and with a low transplant survival.
Description: A small tree up to 10 metres, usually deciduous. Bark is grey but when the tree is older the bark is rough and brownish with bumpy breathing pores. Leaves are compound on branched stalks up to 40 cm long, hanging in terminal bunches. The leaflets are slightly toothed. Flowers are striking lilac in clusters with each small flower having a purple centre. They are mildly fragrant. Fruits are fleshy yellow-orange, oval and in clusters. Each is 1.5cm long and they persist on the tree for a long time. Strip away the flesh to reveal a ribbed, hard bead with 4-6 black seeds inside. The seeds are poisonous.
Uses: Recommended for firewood [I have never burnt it but suggest the smoke may smell], poles, timber, bee fodder, shade, amenity, insecticide and dye.
Propagation: The species is a prolific seeder with 1 500 - 2 000 seeds per kg. They are difficult to extract because the bead is very hard. I cut the bead lengthwise and plant the half, often some seeds are damaged but others will germinate - but irregularly. In the bead, seeds will store foe two years.
The leaves are not browsed by livestock, giving a clue that people should not ingest them though a tea is used for stomach complaints - but you need to know what you are doing!
I put leaves in books and that keeps silverfish at bay. I also put leaves in bags of maize to keep weevils away and that too was successful.
To me the tree looks a bit scrawny without leaves, but for conservation it is a good tree to use. In many parts of Africa it has naturalized but I did find that harvesting seed took a long time. Looking for seedlings in the wild proved difficult and with a low transplant survival.
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