Indigenous Originates in South Africa. Non Indigenous Exotic to South Africa. Related plants. Shrubs and Perennials Mundulea sericea Cork Bush. Shrubs and Perennials Juniperus species Junipers. Fruits and Vegetables Citrus sinensis Orange. Trees Salix Species Osier, Willow. Fruits and Vegetables Citrus paradisi Grapefruit.
Fruits and Vegetables Citrus reticulata Mandarin orange. Search for:. Join Newsletter. Ask a question. This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. More info Accept. Full Sun Full Sun — Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day. Moderate Maintenance Med Maintenance — Requires moderate maintenance.
It is generally found in areas with mean annual temperatures of 21 to 32degC. It can survive hot temperatures reportedly up to 50degC , but does not tolerate frost or extended cold, although there are some reports of neem trees surviving light frost. Generally, at temperature below 4degC leaf shedding and death may occur. The neem tree grows in areas with mean annual rainfalls of mm up to 1, mm.
It can grow in regions with an annual rainfall below mm, but in such cases it depends largely on the ground water levels. Neem grows in areas from sea level up to m, however it thrives at low altitudes. Very often the neem tree is confused with the Persian lilac or chinaberry tree Melia azedarach a relative of neem which thrives a high altitudes. The tree grows on a variety of soils, clayey or sandy, saline or alkaline, but will not grow in waterlogged soils. It does particularly well, however, on black cotton soils and deep, well drained soils with good subsurface water.
Unlike most other multipurpose tree species, neem thrives on dry, stony, shallow soils and even on soils with hard calcareous or clay pans at a shallow depth. The tree improves soil fertility and water holding capacity because it has the unusual property of calcium mining, and can thereby neutralise acidic soils. Its extensive root system also has a rare physiological capacity to extract nutrients from highly leached sandy soils. Neem can grow on soils with a wide pH range.
The optimum growth is at pH 6. The Neem tree is best propagated from its seeds which will only germinate if less than three months old. The seeds need to be sprinkled daily while laying on a newspaper which is placed on plastic in the shade. The newspaper has to be renewed every second day. After a week the seed will crack and sprout ready to be planted in compost made of half soil and half cow manure.
To propagate from a cutting, a small twig has to be stripped of its leaves and stuck into moist soil. A lack of zinc or potassium drastically reduces growth. Trees affected by zinc deficiency show chlorosis of the leaf tips and leaf margins, their shoots exude much resin, and their older leaves fall off. Those with potassium deficiency show leaf tip and marginal chlorosis and die back necrosis. The tree starts bearing fruits after 3 to 5 years and is fully productive after 10 years.
Under favourable conditions a tree can produce up to 30kg of seeds per year and kg of leaves. By and large, most neem trees are reputed to be remarkably pest free; however, some pests and diseases occasionally attack neem trees. In some parts of Africa mainly in the Lake Chad Basin , a scale insect Aonidiella orientalis has become a serious pest.
This and other scale insects sometimes infest neem trees in central and south India. They feed on sap, and although they do little harm to mature trees, they may kill young ones. Now that one type has been detected in Africa, the impact could be severe. Another insect pest ist the scale insect Pinnaspis strachani very common in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Even though neem timber is renowned for termite resistance , termites sometimes damage, or even kill, the living trees. However, they usually attack only sickly specimens, however. In Nigeria, 14 insect species and one parasitic plant have been recorded as pests. Few of the attacks were serious, and the trees almost invariably recovered, although their growth and branching may have been affected.
Despite the fact that the leaves contain fungi cidal and antibacterial ingredient s, certain microbes may attack different parts of the tree, including the following:. A canker disease that discolours the wood and seems to coincide with a sudden absorption of water after long droughts has also been observed. OIA Skip to main content. Environmental Health Trees Neem tree Neem tree 1. Introduction 2. Pests and Diseases 3.
Information Source Links. Just remember that your tree will need a lot of feeding to make up for those leaves. When it comes to pests and diseases of neem trees, be on the lookout for scale insects.
The oriental yellow scale Aspidiotus orientalis and the neem scale Palvinaria maxima can cause considerable damage to your tree. Neem has proven to be valuable to both farm and city dwellers throughout subtropics and dry tropics. It is a versatile tree with various uses for:.
Furthermore, nearly all parts of the plant are useful in one way or another. The entire neem tree possesses antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. The leaves, bark, and seed can be used to make medicine. The fruit, root, and flower are used less frequently, but also serve important purposes. Neem oil comes from the seeds which are dried, roasted, crushed then pressed to extract the oil.
Organic gardeners are familiar with neem oil in the United States. Neem oil can also be used as a natural insect repellent and fungicide against sooty mold, powdery mildew, and black soot.
People also use neem oil in soap, lotion, shampoo, and other skincare products. A neem tree in your garden or yard is a great idea as it has a sweet aroma that is widely appreciated by honeybees too. Neem oil also has calming effects that one can also appreciate through the aroma of its flowers.
These make it a beneficial natural treatment for gum disease. The main compound found in a neem leaf is azadirachtin which acts as an antifeedant, repels pests, and disrupts insects growth and reproduction. The leaf of neem can also be used as fodder, mulch, and green manure in your yard. When used as a paste, neem leaves work as a skin treatment primarily for warts, fungus, or chickenpox. The slinga berry syringa, China berry etc …and the neem tree are not the same.
Same family. But leaves of been are medicinal whereas the syringa is poisonous. Dear every One I am also in kzn need to know more about neem trees. I have neem plants and trees Im in kzn port Shepstone my number is available from 1pm everyday.
Hai I live in kzn port Shepstone I have neem trees and plants, my phone number is available from 1pm everyday thanks. Looking for neem trees or the seed. I have moringa but looking for the neem trees.
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