Re: 120-year-old chinaberries (Melia azedarach)

Bonnie - 

Thanks for contacting me about these Chinaberry Trees.  I am investigating
the relative longevity of this species and have two reference librarians
working on the matter as well (they love this type of interesting question!)
I will let you know what I find out.

I am also c.c.'ing the medit-plants group in the hopes that someone out
there might know of some very old specimens in California or another
mediterranean climate that would be good documentation to help save these
trees.

I like Chinaberries and I know they can reach great age.  My first
experience with them was in the central valley, seeing venerable specimens
planted around old, delelict farmhouses.  There was one not far from the
house I lived in in Dixon (close to Davis) while I was in college.
They have great character and picturesque branching.  They are poisonous
and so many people fear to plant them (probably the reason for their
decline), but then there are many garden plant just as toxic which
people love (foxglove, for instance).  This species is being evaluated
as a source of 'Neem', the Neem Tree being a close relative.  It was used
in US history in the Southeast as a moth and bug deterent (they put some
leaves between sheets, etc.).

I love the flowers most of all, and the fact that it can grow wonderfully
in the harshest conditions, completely dry in summer but in full leaf!
Worth more consideration in the Bay Area.

Sean O.

(Bonnie's original message to me):

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 15:37:57 -0600
From: Bonnie Simrell <bsimrell@oneimage.com>
To: sean.ohara@poboxes.com
Subject: 120-year-old chinaberries

Dear Sean:

I have enjoyed strolling through the Mediterranean Gardens site and
learning about you.  I grew up in the Santa Clara Valley when it was
still prunes and apricots, and Hewlett and Packard were thinking about
projects in their garage.  It was SO beautiful . . .  sigh

It occurs to me that you might be able to provide some leads for a
research project I am doing for Bruce Roeding of the California Nursery
Company in Niles District, Fremont.

The challenge:  There are three specimens of chinaberries (melia
azedarach) exceeding 120 years in the historic (200 years) Mission
District of Fremont.  Two are imperiled by city roadway improvements,
and we want to convince the city to spend the relatively modest sum
required to accommodate the trees.

The question is, are there other documented instances of chinaberries
(melia azedarach) surviving significantly longer than 120 years?   We
would like to find some at 175-200 years.

Trunk diameter of these trees is approximately 24"; the height of one is
30-35 feet and the spread about 30 feet, and the second is somewhat
larger.  There is an even more impressive specimen, perhaps older, down
the road, again with trunk diameter of about 2 feet, and height and
spread of 40 and 35 feet, respectively.

The city of Fremont is contemplating whether to make special provisions
for the trees in connection with nearby roadwork.  A local
horticulturist has advised, however, that the trees have reached their
probable maximum life span and that it is not practical to preserve
them.  The trees, which are integral to a historic building (harness
shop built in the 1860s) and its site, can be accommodated relatively
easily at a moderate cost.

Having examined the trees himself, Bruce is convinced that they should
be preserved.  What we really need is documentation of existing old
specimens.  I have done some internet research for him on the subject
but have found nothing beyond contradictory data and inferences that
some "old" specimens may exist.

As you may know, the California Nursery Company was established in
Cupertino in 1865 by John Rock and purchased by Bruce's grandfather
George Roeding in 1917.  Over the years, the company supplied the trees
for major civic projects
in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Golden Gate Park, Treasure
Island, and the Bay Bridge approach.  The Roeding family also has been a
major contributor to historic preservation and horticultural projects in
Niles and the surrounding area.

Can you help?  Information, leads, or a referral would be greatly
appreciated.

Thank you so much,


Bonnie Simrell

P.S. A brief note about the California Nursery Company is at:
http://www.niles.org/walkNot1.htm#wn3
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