Chinaberry is a fast-growing deciduous tree often made of several smaller trunks, as it is able to readily sprout from the roots. The widely spreading crown, pale purple tube-like fragrant blooms, and attractive yellow drupes that persist all winter made it a popular ornamental shade tree in southern yards during the 1900s, but now it is noted for its invasive qualities, naturalizing along roadsides and fence rows. Many animal species - including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry and humans - have been poisoned by chinaberry, usually by ingesting the fallen fruit.
Latin Name
Melia azedarach
Family
Meliaceae
Also Known As
Pride of China Bead Tree Ceylon Mahogany
Type of Plant
Trees
Bloom Season
April - May
Seasons
Spring
Summer
Specifications
Max Height: 50'
Max Spread: 50'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Attracted Wildlife
Birds
Toxicity
Do not ingest
Harmful to pets
Colors
Native Range
Northern India, central and western China
History
Washington planted Pride of China in his botanical garden, writing on July 23, 1785, "Perceived a few Plants of the Pride of China (the Seed of which were Sowed on the 13th. of June) to be coming up."
Other Details
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
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