Melia Azedarac

[Damian Bee]

I found a Melia growing in the back yard, I am not sure whether it is the Aussie one or the Asian one but as it is just a seedling. They make a great specimen tree in real proportion but I was curious about whether anyone here has tried one as Bonsai? If so, what were your experience?

[Damian Bee]

[MattA]

Hey Damian,

I havent tried them before but its on the list to get to eventually. Growth wise, they have large pinnate leaves & long internodes so its going to be a challenge to get them to be a convincing bonsai.

The wood is very brittle so extreme bending isnt possible, the branchs also set very quickly so any wiring & branch positioning needs to be done while still green. I would suggest growing for a larger sized tree and use clip & grow methods as much as possible.

I have applied this to several species with similar growth patterns to good effect.

If do decide to get one started keep us updated as it progresses, I for one will definitely be interested to know how you go.

Matt

bump me while I was typing.. I had to fix the spelling mistakes

[Damian Bee]

Sorry Matt.
I was thinking if I am to do one it would have to be a forklift job due to the size but it may reduce, they are deciduous and I like the flower. There are several that have come in droppings from what I guess were bats as they use the Lilly Pilly above it alot when it is fruiting. The fruit stinks on Melia not unlike Serissa, Dad used to have one in the back yard.
Not worried about the branch setting, my thing is clip and grow
I am going to dig them tomorrow.

[nealweb]

Don't forget they are highly toxic, the fruits and I think the leaves aswell.

[Damian Bee]

I wonder what the toxin is? I used to climb the Melia at Mum and Dads all the time, rake up the leaves and play pea shooters with the fruit

[Damian Bee]

From what I can find , you would need to ingest the bark from the roots, tea from the leaves and/or a quantity of the berries but they stink so this is unlikely. The main toxin is Tetranortriterpene neurotoxin. I found this info herehttp://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/plant_p ... /intro.htm
From the books that I have, there are 2 species, Melia azedarac which is from Asia and Melia azedarac australacia which is very similar tree but twice the size. The common name for both is White Cedar and also China Berry for the Asian species.

[nealweb]

I remember a thread quite a while back where pup was talking about the fruits getting into a rainwater tank and fouling the water. Something like that. They sure are a beautiful tree in nature though. Very fragrant flowers too and great in winter minus leaves but with the golden berries. I'd just find a large space and plant it out to be free

[Damian Bee]

too late......no...................................

[Petra]

no, you dont wanna plant this tree out. Beleive me they are more trouble than their worth. I have 4 large ones around the gardens
nothing but a nuisance. Firstly they drop leaves, then you think thats over and then they drop the leaf stems. And not long after that the
seeds drop and their seed stems. Lastly the caterpillars come, they get in your washing, your house anything they can hide in.
Also bottoms of other trees they use to nest. Forever you clean up after these trees. I still have one in a bonsai pot that has been there for
5 years,& hasnt grown much. Its my stick in a pot. Their stems do break very easily. I have found when pinching back the leaves it takes a long time
to regrow. My husband loves the cedar trees. Apart from the nice shade they give i think they are the most useless tree on earth.
Take my advice, keep it in a pot if you have to have one.

[MattA]

I will add bringing the black cockies ... they love tearing branches apart for the borers that seem so enamoured with these trees...

An extra bonus is how much it upsets the old biddy next door who's trees they are... she is always out there trying to shoo the cockies away.. they just sit & stare at her like she crazy they are right

From what I could find out its really only the berries you have to be careful with and then only if you eat heaps. The neurotoxin in small doses gives the effect of being drunk!

Matt

Edit: spelling