Along the fencerow

As Tricia and I walked out to the barn the other night, she smelled the evening air and remarked that something must be blooming and asked if the Confederate Jasmine is blooming yet.  We could both smell a distinctly sweet fragrance wafting through on the evening breeze.  I checked the Confederate Jasmine.  Nope, almost blooming, but not yet.  I checked all of our citrus trees.  Nope, they just finished blooming.  What could it be?

After looking around, I think I identified the scent by something I saw on the ground.  Take a look:


The flower of the Chinaberry Tree

The flower resembles the bloom of the Confederate Jasmine, except it is whitish-purple.  Looking up I could tell that this flower was from the Chinaberry Tree.  We have numerous Chinaberry trees along the fence row and bordering the property.

Flowers all over the ground

Now, this seems like a good thing, right?  Actually it is not.  I read about this tree on several websites.  I did not know it, but it is listed as an invasive species in Louisiana along with: zebra mussels, water hyacinth, nutria, fire ants, Formosan termites, kudzu, Chinese Tallow Trees, and feral pigs.  That is not a good list to be on.  They grow quickly and are not affected by most pests or diseases or drought.

I learned that the tree is a native of India, Pakistan, and (duh) China and can grow to 50 feet tall.  It was brought over to the United States in the 1800's and was wildly popular due to its fragrant flowers.  One thing people didn't count on, though, was that when it was brought over, the things (predators, diseases) that keep it in check were not brought over as well.  As a result, the plant spread like wildfire.


Towering 50 feet over the southeastern side of the pasture

The tree, true to its name, produces huge amounts of berries that birds absolutely love.  Birds carry them from place to place and spread the seeds from here to eternity.  Most of the times they sit on fences and poop out the seeds, guaranteeing a thick stand of trees that will crowd out your fence and cause limbs and dead trees to fall across it.  The exact same thing happens with the Chinese Tallow Tree.  Drive across Louisiana and you will see that fence rows are full of Chinese Tallow Trees and Chinaberry trees and they keep many a farmer or rancher cleaning his fence rows time and time again.

I found that Chinaberry trees are toxic to all animals - except birds.  Ha!

Although this picture is pretty blurry, you can tell now where the flowers are coming from.  Each of those flowers will become a berry, or seeds, for birds to carry to their next destination, resulting in germination and more Chinaberry trees.

I keep a close watch on them.  Sometimes I see a plant beginning to grow with leaves matching those of the picture below and quickly pull it out. 


Chinaberry flowers

Although the shade and flowers of the Chinaberry Tree are nice, we don't want them taking over the fence rows and pasture.  As it is, we have 3 invasive species on our property, working quickly to take over the place: fire ants and Chinese Tallow trees and Chinaberry trees.  Why can't good things like homemade pie or ice cream or chocolate be invasive?  I wouldn't have a problem at all with those things proliferating.