VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Melaleuca quinquenervia | Melaleuca 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Melaleuca is not used in Florida or Hawaii for commercial lumber because
its bark-to-wood ratio is high, the average stem diameter small, and the
form poor.  However, the wood is suitable for uses such as pulp and
cabinetry.  The wood can be used for fuel but is more difficult to use
than other species because of its powdery, low-density bark [8].

Experimental work has been done on melaleuca for production of sawwood,
gunstocks, cutting boards, trophy plaques, furniture, and fence posts.
The results of these tests have been satisfatory to excellent.  The
species may be undesirable for tomato stakes because of the allelopathic
resins in the wood [3].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Melaleuca provides little food for wildlife, and dense young stands have
been labeled "particularly poor wildlife habitat."  Studies in southern
Florida indicate that while 10 percent of birds active in melaleuca
heads actually feed there, only 1.5 percent nest there [3].

In south Florida melaleuca is replacing the natural habitat and food
sources of native species such as alligator and deer.  No small birds or
mammals eat the seed of melaleuca [10].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Because of its fast growth and ability to quickly invade disturbed
sites, melaleuca has been planted for erosion control on deforested
sites.  However, it is not recommended for this use because of its
deleterious effect on the habitat of native species [3,9].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The leaves, twigs, and seeds of melaleuca produce cajeput oil that has
been used as an antiseptic and analgesic.  The oil has also been used in
perfumes, cough drops, and as a flavoring for candy, ice cream, and
beverages [3].  

Melaleuca is a good source of nectar for honey, package bees, and wax.
The honey, called "punk honey", is not used as table honey but is used
in the baking industry [3].

Although melaleuca was originally introduced into Florida as an
ornamental, it is no longer planted for this purpose [2].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
The spread of melaleuca has caused considerable alarm about possible
irreversible changes that may be occurring in the ecosystem of south
Florida.  Originally planted as an ornamental, it has spread across
hundreds of square kilometers and has become a formidable competitor for
water and mineral resources.  It also has the potential to replace
hundreds of local plants and moderately or severely impact several
animal species, some of which are endangered or threatened [20].

Mechanical removal:  Mechanical clearing with a follow-up seedling
control program is an effective but expensive long-term solution.  If
cleared lands receive no on-going mechanical treatment, melaleuca will
invade and rapidly colonize the disturbed soil.  Downed trees and limbs
should be removed from the site to eliminate the seed source and
potential sprouting [15].

Herbicides:  Most herbicides show limited effectiveness against
melaleuca.  Most provide only short-term results, and melaleuca trees
quickly refoliate after treatment.  Some of the more effective uses of
herbicides under various conditions have been outlined [4,12].

Biological control:  Research is currently being done in the use of
various biological controls of melaleuca.  Workers in Australia have
identified more than 50 species of insects that utilize melaleuca as a
food source.  Long-term control of melaeuca would best be achieved with
the introduction of effective biological control agents.  However, the
prospect of biological agents solving the problem of melaleuca within
the next decade is remote [20].

Related categories for Species: Melaleuca quinquenervia | Melaleuca