INTRODUCTION TO NEEM TREE

 

NEEM TREE

   Family = Meliaceae                 Scientific Name = Azadirachta indica

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Common Names –

1.    Or Margosa tree

2.    Nim in Hindi

3.    Nimgach in Bengali

4.    Nimba in Marathi and Gujrati

5.    Vepa in Tamil and Malayalam

Growing areas –

1.    Mostly originated in India, but now grows also in Shri Lanka and Malaysia.

                                                                                 (a) 

(b)

(c)

                                                         

a)    India

b)    Shri Lanka

c)     Malaysia

2.    It is hardy tree and grows in many condition, preferring dry areas.

General information –

1.    It is medium to large evergreen tree.

2.    It is fairly fast growing with the rough pale grey-brown bark.

3.    The trunk of this tree grow at a certain height before the branching starts.

4.    In the drier areas the tree become deciduous.

5.    This tree is also called a miraculous tree due it’s features.

 

 

Leaves, Flowers and fruit of the Neem tree

LEAVES OF THE NEEM TREE –

         1.    The growing period of the new leaves is through out the 

              year but mainly new leaves grows in March and April, to 

              replace the old leaves that have fallen.

2.    The leaves are fresh green but sometimes rust tinted when new.

3.    The leaves are shining and crowed together near the end of the branches.

4.    The leaves of the neem tree absorb carbon dioxide in more amount than other tree, due to this they release more amount of oxygen.

5.    For this reason it is healthy tree to grow in gardens, or near houses.

FLOWERS OF THE NEEM TREE –

1.    The flowers are tiny pale cream-coloured and star-shaped five-petalled flowers hang under the leaves.

2.    The flowers are grow in March to May and again during the rains.

3.    Their strong perfume attracts the insects.

4.    The flowers are difficult to see.

FRUIT OF THE NEEM TREE –

1.    These are small berries, yellow when ripe.

2.    Birds and bees love their sweet-tasting juice.

3.    The fruits give off a strong unpleasant smell after the rain.

USES OF THE NEEM TREE –

1.    These trees are planted along the roads to give the shade.

2.    The most famous product of this tree is oil obtained from it’s seed, Margosa oil used for treating skin disease.

3.    This tree has many medicinal uses, it is difficult to decide how to start listing them.

4.    The wood is heavy and drives away insects.

5.    It is often used for building boats.

6.    The twigs are used in place of toothbrush and tooth paste, particularly in poor and village side.

7.    The leaves are used for treating boils.

       8.      In north India the trees grow so well that there is often a 

              sturdy (strongly and solidly built) branch onto which a swing 

              can be attached.   

(a)

(b)

(c)

                                               

a)     Neem trees along the road

b)     Twigs of the Neem tree used as toothbrush

c)     Margosa oil from the Margosa tree(neem tree).