Environmental Weed of the Month – Lilac (Melia azedarach)

Environmental Weed of the Month – Lilac (Melia azedarach) 

Family

Meliaceae

Origin

Australia and South-East Asia

Description

White Cedar is a medium sized tree, reaching up to 30m in height when growing in ideal conditions. Its bark is two tone grey and white, firm and fissured, sometimes giving it a vertically striped appearance. The tree is deciduous over Winter, re-emerging with bright green foliage in early Spring. Large compound leaves are bi-pinnate and can have up to seventy small leaflets. Large sprays of attractive lilac coloured flowers emerge in Spring and develop into olive shaped fruit that mature to a squishy, brown fruit containing a single seed.

How do they spread?

Spread by seed. Fruit is readily eaten by birds that spread the seeds around.

Why are they an issue?

Highly successful at establishing in most environments, White Cedar can easily out compete any natives. Fruit are TOXIC TO HUMANS AND LIVESTOCK.

Where are you likely to find it?

Island wide.

How can I control it?

1. Hand weed seedlings.

2. Cut and paint stump of mature trees, or stem inject with 1 part Glyphosate to 1 part water.