Malabar Neem
Melia dubia known as Malabar Neem (Tamil: malai vembu, Kannada: hebbevu or kaadu bevu, Telugu: Malabar Vepa -- Vepa means Neem) is a tree in the family Meliaceae. It is distributed all throughout India (with the exception of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim), the Malay Peninsula and tropical Asia. It is present in moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. It leaves fall from February to May, flowers January to March and fruits from November to February.
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Meliaceae
Genus: Melia
Species: Melia dubia
Malabar Neem originates from Meliaceae family and is an indigenous species of tree to India, South East Asia and Australia, where it has been cultivated as a source of firewood. The tree can be cultivated in all types of soil and requiring low supply of water. Malabar Neem has the unique feature of growing 40 feet within 2 years from planting and can be mechanically pruned and harvested. Malabar Neem is a species belonging to the Neem Family. This tree is known for its fast growth. In recent times the farmer around Karnataka, Tamil Nada, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala have found the utility of this tree both as low-grade timber and also a very useful wood for plywood industry. Under irrigated conditions, this tree can be harvested at the end of the 5th year for both Timber and Plywood.
Plantation Management
A spacing of 5 x 5 m is optimal while a spacing of 8 x 8 m is ideal. Growth is enhanced with the application of fertilizers. Regular irrigation is required for fast growth of the trees. Initial growth is hastened with daily watering and application of fertilizers once in three months for the first three years. Under rainfed conditions, the growth is slow (almost 100 % less). The tree branches at 8-10 m from ground. Pruning every six months controls branching. The bole is straight, round, without any knots and without any buttress.
Agroforestry Practices
Melia is a good agroforestry species and supports a variety of crops throughout its cultivation period. Ground nut, chilli, turmeric, blackgram, papaya, banana, melon, sugarcane, as inter crops are being successfully cultivated. The species performs exceedingly well when planted on bunds, attaining the harvestable size within four years.
Yield
The tree attains a volume of 15 cu. ft. at the end of 15 years and earns revenue of Rs. 350 per cubic foot from the 5th year onwards. Growth rate ranges from 20-25 cm per year when intensively managed and 6 to 8 cm per year in unmanaged plantations. It is expected to produce 12 to 15 Cuft. ( 0.4 - 0.5 cu.m) of timber in 5 years time. Presently Melia fetches Rs. 7300/- per tonne for billets of girth 50-120 cm girth and above Rs.370 per CFT (0.02 cu.m.) for trees which have attained a girth > 120 cm.
Uses
It is a good secondary timber and the most preferred species for plywood industry. The wood is also used for packing cases, ceiling planks, building purposes, agricultural implements, pencils, match boxes, splints, cattamarans, musical instruments and tea boxes as the wood is anti-termite by itself. Thus, the species has a ready and assured market due to its multipurpose utilities. The species is also highly adaptable. The species is in high demand by the plywood industries.
