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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 Trees

Bloom Season

April - May

Seasons

Spring Spring
Summer Summer

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 50'
Max spread Max Spread: 50'

Uses

  • Ornamental

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Attracted Wildlife

    Birds Birds

    Toxicity

    Do not ingest Do not ingest
    Harmful to pets 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 Grown by Washington

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden

  • Botanical Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

    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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