1. Melia azedarach (L.) Meliaceae
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach (L.) Meliaceae

2. Biology Small to medium tree 20 to 50 feet tall Native to Asia
Introduced to U.S. in 1700’s
Member of the mahogany family

3. Background Economic Uses Introduced to U.S. for fuel wood
Ornamental for flowers, foliage and shade

4. Distribution
Found throughout much of southeastern U.S., Central America, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
From Virginia to Texas
Mainly found in north and central Florida

5. Chinaberry Distribution in Florida

6. Impacts Category II invasive species (FLEPPC)
Limited spread into undisturbed sites
Forms dense thickets, displacing native vegetation
Multiple shoots form when cut back, responds favorably to fire
Prolific seed production

7. Identification

8. Mature Plant Deciduous tree Up to 50 feet tall
Reddish to purplish bark
May have multiple branches
Soft wood

9. Leaves Alternately arranged Bipinnate compound
Leaflets have serrated edges and 1 to 3 inches long

10. Flowers & Fruit Flowers in spring Long, fragrant, purple
Fruits are yellow, hang on tree after frost
Mucilaginous/sticky
Seed round, hard, marble-like and poisonous

11. Management
Preventative
Cultural
Mechanical
Biological
Chemical

12. Preventative Limit planting as an ornamental
Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are produced
Avoid use of possibly contaminated mulch with chinaberry seeds
Prevent seed spread and dispersal
Rouge out trees in abandoned areas

13. Cultural Alternative plants to replace chinaberry
Programs to educate ranchers about the problems associated with this plant and proper identification
Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishment

14. Biological
There are no known biological control agents available for chinaberry management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.

15. Mechanical
Hand pull young seedlings, including all roots, repeated pulling for resprouts
Cut tree down at ground level
Girdling is effective for large trees
Cut through bark approximately 6 inches above the ground, encircling tree base
Mowing is effective on small saplings and resprouts, but must be repeated

16. Chemical - Foliar
Over-the-top applications for seedlings, resprouts and small trees
Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicide
Triclopyr – 2% solution
Glyphosate – 2 to 3% solution
Use surfactant at 0.25%
Best results applied July to October

17. Chemical - Basal Individual trees, near desirable species
Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal oil
Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on tree trunk
Wet thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground line

18. Chemical – Cut Stump Individual trees, near desirable species
Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near ground level
Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr
Cover the outer 20% of the stump
Marker (blue) dye is helpful

20. Useful Links
LSU AgCenter Research and Extension Louisiana Invasive Plants:
Element Stewardship Abstract for Melia azedarach:

21. Useful Links
USDA NRCS - PLANTS Database
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual
The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group: Weeds Gone Wild:

22. Literature Cited
Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp