Azadirachta indica (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)

Azadirachta indica Meliaceae North-east India, Burma

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  habit

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  leaf

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  leaves and flowers

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  leaves and fruits

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  seeds

• English: Neem
• Agnuakgna: Byby
• Amargna: Kinin
• Nuyergna: Nibe, Niff, Niph
• Oromugna: Galalo, Riga‑arba
• Sahogna: Nim
• Tigrigna: Nim

A tree well known in its native land and now naturalized in the Old World tropics where it is also widely planted. Extensively grown in tropical Africa, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. It is drought resistant and does well in poor soils. Roots grow deep and spread over a wide area, but it does not stand waterlogging. In Ethiopia, it is widely planted in the Dry and Moist Kolla and Moist Weyna Dega agroclimatic zones of Ilubabor, Kefa, Wolega, Harerge and Shoa regions, 400–1,500 m. Int. literature says 1500 m upper limit for good growth, higher in Ethiopia. What about the agroclimatic zones in that case?

Firewood, charcoal, timber (furniture), poles, medicine (oil, leaves, bark, roots), fodder (leaves eaten by goats, oil-seed cake), bee‑forage, shade, ornamental, soil conservation, windbreak, insecticide (azadirachtin), oil (seed), soap.

A fast‑growing, medium-sized tree which may reach 20 m, with a dense, leafy, oval-shaped canopy, evergreen except in the driest areas.

• BARK: Pale grey‑brown, grooved.
• LEAVES: Glossy green, crowded at the ends of branches; compound to 40 cm long, each leaflet curved and long, pointed, the edge roughly saw‑toothed, leaf blades unequal, a smaller leaflet at the leaf tip.
• FLOWERS: Small, fragrant, cream‑white, hanging in long graceful sprays.
• FRUIT: Oval yellow berries when ripe, 2 cm long, thin skinned with oily pulp, usually 1 or 2 seeds.

Seedlings, wildings, direct sowing at site.

About 5,000 seed per kg.

• Treatment: Not necessary.
• Storage: Seed should not be stored as it loses viability quickly.

Fast growing after the first year; lopping, pollarding. Should be weeded during establishment as the initial growth may be relatively slow.

The wood is tough and resistant to decay and termites. The tree is highly valued in Ethiopia for its medicinal uses. Leaf powder mixed in water makes an effective fumigant against seed borers in grain stores. Used mainly for shelter belts and planted on degraded land. Neem has turned into a weed in some parts of the world.