Bryan Tyler Nelson		CHINABERRY
	Melia azedarach is a species of deciduous tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to India, Indochina Southeast Asia and Australia. Common names include Persian Lilac, White Cedar, Chinaberry, Texas Umbrella, Bead Tree, Lunumidella, Ceylon Cedar ,malai vembu , Bakain and Dharek/Dhraik. In South Africa it is commonly but erroneously called Syringa, which is in fact the lilac genus. The genus Melia includes four other species, occurring from southeast Asia to northern Australia. They are all deciduous or semi-evergreen trees. The main utility of chinaberry is its timber. This is of medium density, and ranges in colour from light brown to dark red. In appearance it is readily confused with the unrelated Burmese Teak (Tectona grandis). Melia azedarach in keeping with other members of the family Meliaceae has a timber of high quality, but as opposed to many almost-extinct species of mahogany it is under-utilised. Seasoning is relatively simple in that planks dry without cracking or warping and are resistant to fungal infection. The hard, 5-grooved seeds were widely used for making rosaries and other products requiring beads, before their replacement by modern plastics.
	Click image to enlarge. Below are pictures of Chinaberry stock being turned. It was green so it had some drying time before the final turn above.

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