Melia azedarach (was Street trees)



Moira Ryan wrote:

> you might also consider Melia azerach.  I know it would grow well for you as 
> when I visited Adelaide about twelve years ago, in the district where I stayed all 
> the local streets were lined with this graceful small tree.
>

I would second Moira's recommendation of Melia az. (The name spellings I have seen put it as azedarach).  I have seen it growing a lot in warm, southern California (it also grows in Texas, so it can take cold winters).  It has very fragrant white flowers (especially fragrant in the evening), and during its deciduous winter period, it is covered with tanish-yellowish-orangish fruit, hard and nut-like, whidh remain on the tree for months, rather like mountain ash (botanic name escapes memory).

I do have one question about it, though - I have been trying to grow one for several years, started from seed, and still in a pot.  Every time it gets about 12" high, some night-time critter comes along and gnaws at the bark and top growth.  Has happened several times, even after wrapping the bark with a plastic "tree-guard".  I have actually started taking it in the house at night, until I can rig up some sort of wire cage.  Any idea what would be eating at it?  It can't be anormal part of the critter's diet, since there are no other such trees around here.  Whatever it was didn't chew on anyting else in my yard.  Although the bark of young Quercus agrifolia street trees a block away were also gnawed at.

Richard Starkeson
Berkeley, California
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