Azadirachta indica (Neem)


Michael's Opinion

With its astounding range of applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental conservation, the neem tree is a botanical marvel. It is a versatile asset because of its great nutrient content, capacity to withstand arid regions, and pesticide qualities. Furthermore, it has therapeutic uses, and may even improve soil. This tree represents the abundance of nature, containing answers to problems in agriculture, medicine, and the environment. Its broad distribution and adaptability to a range of environmental situations highlight how crucial it is to a variety of ecosystems. With its many uses, the neem tree is a symbol of the happy coexistence of human inventiveness and the abundance of nature.

Botanical Information

FamilyMeliaceae
GenusAzadirachta
Speciesindica
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginIndia, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Durable wood used for furniture and lumber. The leaves and bark are used in teas, cosmetics, pet care, toothpaste and medicinal preparations. The dried leaves are used to deter moths. Twigs can be used as tooth brushes. Neem oil can be used as botanical insecticide, repellent and fungicide. Can also be used as a lubricant for machinery, lamp fuel and for soaps and cosmetics.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1b
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1 - 16
Temperature (°F)30 - 60
Height15 - 22 m
Spread15 - 22 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodJanuary, February, March, April, May

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionNeem is a rapidly growing tree that can reach heights of 15 to 20 metres (and occasionally 40 metres) with a crown diameter of up to 20 metres.
ID CharacteristicAdult neem trees are resistant to fire. Even though adult neem trees may recover from fire damage, neem saplings should likewise be shielded from fire.
ShapeUpright, dense, round and broad.
LandscapeShade planting and container planting.
PropagationCuttings, root suckers, and seed are the three most practical ways to reproduce neem trees. Naturally, the seed was spread by birds droppings. It is advised to use the yellow ripe neem seeds to gather viable seed since the viability of neem seed is still quite short.
CultivationNeem can grow in a variety of soil conditions, such as sandy, rocky, and extremely dry areas. It has a reputation for thriving in hard, dry, and infertile soils. It may, however, be most suited to sandy, deep soils that are porous. Its deep, wide root system is perhaps an adaption to areas that get dry during certain seasons. Neem cannot withstand soils that are either constantly or seasonally wet (i.e., have poor drainage), such as low-lying silty clay, saline soils, or locations with subsurface hard-pan or laterite outcrops. Although it may grow in a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0, it favours a soil pH of 6.2 to 7.0.
HabitatTropical and sub-tropical.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark of the short, often straight trunk is heavily furrowed and somewhat thick.
Leaf DescriptionThe compound (pinnate) leaves are alternating, measuring 20–40 cm in length, and have 20–30 serrated dark green leaflets that are each roughly 3–8 cm long. Frequently, the terminal pamphlet is missing. The hue of young leaves ranges from reddish to purplish. The length of petioles is 70–90 mm. The bark has deep cracks in it.
Flower DescriptionCream-coloured, fragrant flowers are grouped in axillary clusters; each cluster is referred to as an inflorescence. Each inflorescence has 150–250 individual flowers and is 15–25 cm long. Each flower has five petals, ten stamens, one style, and a diameter of around 1 cm.
Fruit DescriptionWith one or two ovules per cell, the ovary is a superior, syncarpous, three-celled organ. The fruit is a glabrous, olive-like drupe with a diameter of 1-3 cm that can be roundish or elongated oval in shape. When ripe, it has a yellow colour and consists of a pleasant pulp that encases one seed, sometimes two or three.
Colour DescriptionThe leaves are a medium to dark green. The flowers are white.
Texture DescriptionThe seeds are smooth in texture.

Photographs