Our neem tree is happily growing in a sunny window, we're looking forward to putting it outside this summer and enjoying the benefits of an amazing tree we never thought we could grow in this cold climate. From this neem plant video, learn how to grow neem tree from cuttings at home. Neem oil is clean-burning, and the tree produces excellent firewood. Neem trees handle heavy weather exceptionally well, with trees in Key West covered in new growth after four hurricanes in 2005 including a storm surge from Wilma that left them standing in salt water for more than 24 hours. Good morning Srini! The younger the tree, the more vulnerable it is to cold weather. Temperatures up to Neem trees develop a very deep and strong tap root. The more, the better. So is the occasional drop down to about 5°C (35F). A cluster means you plant your trees closer together than usual. Contact her at vicki@neemtreefarms.com. After... 2. It needs and positively thrives in hot weather, but it can handle the occasional cold spell. Plant neem seeds 1 inch deep in potting soil in a large pot. A neem tree can be expected to live 150 to 200 years. Leaving them in pots or polythene bags for too long will lead to stunted and distorted roots, and it is also very easy to damage roots when the tree is planted out. The one single thing that neem trees can't handle are soggy, waterlogged soils. Keep reading to learn more about Texas native trees, the fastest growing shade trees in Texas, Texas evergreen trees, Texas flowering trees and the most common trees in Texas. Neem trees are easily grown in warm, frost-free areas and are relatively fast-growing. DiscoverNeem.com is intended for informational purposes only. Neem trees grow slowly during their first year, but they reach maturity fast. I planted it in about a week in a 32" pot. Within the tree’s native range, it has been used as a botanical insecticide for many hundreds of years. Planting: Start by choosing a location with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, as well as well-drained soil. Unfortunately I could not plant the tree immediately after receiving it since I did not get the right pot size. Only the warmest areas of Florida, Texas, Arizona and California (Zone 10) are warm enough to grow neem… It needs and positively thrives in hot weather, but it can handle the occasional cold spell. Ramesh Saxena says a new project from the University of Texas aims to plant neem trees in the Sahara Desert. In truly tropical climates, neem quickly becomes a valuable shade tree, growing up to eight feet per year under optimum conditions. (Speaking from experience, it’s much easier than trying to protect a 10-foot-high tree and temperatures stay warmer closer to the ground.) A journalist by training, Vicki enjoys "translating" complex scientific reports into easy-to-read and informative articles. You also may coppice the tree about Thanksgiving, then cover it with a large clean trashcan when freezing weather is expected. However, I see no problem with raising them in pots. Photo: Read about the neem tree's many uses and benefits. Watering: Water regularly, but do not keep the soil saturated. I have emailed a couple of Travis County Master Gardeners who grow a large variety of interesting trees, to ask if they know of a local source for Azadirachta indica trees. Step 1. Yes, you can grow a neem tree from cuttings. Like many tropical plants, neem trees are day-length sensitive and stop growing in the winter unless supplemental light is provided, particularly if they are indoors. For a bunch, plant trees 3-6 feet apart so that the branches are touching. Growing Conditions. Neither the information nor the products mentioned on DiscoverNeem.com are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Like many tropical plants, neem trees are day-length sensitive and stop growing in the winter unless supplemental light is provided, particularly if they are indoors. document.write(d.getFullYear()) Birgit Bradtke. Neem is also a good plant used for making poles because it will re-sprout after it is cut, and is thus easily pollarded or coppiced. None of the information presented on this website is to be taken as medical advice. Temperatures up to 50°C (120F) are fine for growing neem trees. 1. Neem trees can grow to several feet high and it is good to prune the tips of the young plant for branching in all sides. How to Plant. Photo: Neem tree growing on a dry hillside in an Indian village. Outdoors, plant fresh neem seeds directly in the ground, or start them in trays or pots and transplant them outdoors at about three months. As long as the seed is fresh it germinates readily in about a week. Neem should not be taken by anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive. Create beautiful, low maintenance landscapes, while conserving and protecting natural resources and the environment. The most common propagation method is to grow neem trees from seed. There are also some trial plantations in the United States and in Australia. Neem tolerates a wide variety of environmental conditions but cannot survive freezing temperatures or being waterlogged. By the end of the summer, however, they’d grown an easy eight feet tall. Vicki started Neem Tree Farms in 1992 because she had developed a chemical sensitivity to pesticides she was using on her yard and rescued dogs -- long before we knew how dangerous they could be. In many areas of Third World countries, wood of any kind is at a premium. Another option is to cover the neem tree by turning the pot on its side and throwing a blanket over it on the ground. The bark of the Neem tree, is rough and its color can be pale to greyish-black. Known as the tropical evergreen tree, Neem came into existence in the 19th century and is essentially revered for its medicinal properties. Welcome to Neem Tree Farms Facebook page. Only the warmest areas of Florida, Texas, Arizona and California (Zone 10) are warm enough to grow neem, however. Reduce the amount of water, … Ensure the tree is planted in the largest pot possible. The growing conditions for neem tree are similar to the trees grown in tropical climate. Neem contains compounds similar to those in aspirin and must never be used to treat children with fevers. So if you start them in pots, get them out in the ground as soon as possible. Texas Native Trees: Low Maintenance Additions To Your Landscape. Neem trees growing in India, their country of origin. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. If you expect to harvest neem year-round, make sure your tree receives as much natural light as possible during the day, then several hours of artificial light at night during the short days of winter. The eyes are growth buds from which the green shoots grow.