Gmelina arborea aka Malay Bush Beech

Gmelina arborea is a fast-growing tree in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range runs from Pakistan to southern Yunnan and northern Indo-China. It grows in tropical lands with a dry season. It lives in both moist and dry forests. It also grows in open woodland on low river plains. Gardeners grow it for shade and as an avenue tree. Other names include yemani and yemtani.

This deciduous tree sheds its leaves and forms a broad crown. Many branches spread out to cast shade. It has no spines. The listed mature height is about 82 feet [25 metres]. Reported heights span 10–98 feet [3–30 metres], with some trees taller. The trunk grows straight and has a round cross-section. It often measures about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. Some trunks reach 4.6 feet [1.4 metres] across. The lowest branches may start 20–33 feet [6–10 metres] above ground.

Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. The tree is not self-fertile. People mix its flowers with rice for a New Year dish. The edible fruit is a drupe with fragrant, juicy flesh. Its taste combines sweet and bitter notes. Fruits range from dark purple to yellow. Each measures about 0.06–0.08 feet [0.018–0.025 metres] long. The source reports no known hazards, but gives no pet-specific safety assessment.

Give this tree full sun, even while it is young. It grows best with daytime heat of 22–34°C. Temperatures of 1°C or below can kill it. It suits tropical and subtropical sites, with good drainage. It grows across a wide range of rainfall levels. Best growth occurs with 1,500–2,500 millimetres of rain each year. It accepts soils from acidic laterite to lime-rich loam. Avoid thin, poor soil, hardpan, dry sand, and strongly leached acid soil.

People plant this tree for timber, fuel, shade, and farm forestry. It establishes well and regrows from sprouts and seed. It can withstand repeated browsing. Outside its native range, reports describe relatively few pest problems. The harvested wood remains prone to fungi, termites, and dry-wood borers. Both fruit and wood ash provide a lasting yellow dye. Bruised leaves make a foamy liquid despite lacking saponins. Traditional medicine uses the bark, roots, leaves, fruit, and flowers. These reported uses do not establish that treatments are safe or effective.