Family: Cannabaceae

Trema orientalis (gunpowder tree, charcoal tree, peach cedar) is a flowering tree in the hemp family, native to the Tropical & Subtropical Old World. The wood is used for paper and pulp production. The bark can be used for string, rope, or fishing line. In India and Tanzania the wood is used to make charcoal. It is reported to be naturalized in Florida, and on the islands of Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Molokai and Lanaʻi. This plant thrives in tropical climates, can grow in high elevation environments, can cause eczema when handling and grows rapidly. These characteristics make it incredibly weedy and not recommended to plant.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on main Hawaiian Islands, Florida and possibly elsewhere
  
• A weed of disturbed forests and pastures
  
• A weedy tree of plantations and orchards
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Host of pathogens
  
• Potentially causes eczema when handling
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Fast growth rate
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds and intentionally by people
  
• Coppices vigorously

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Palatable to browsing and grazing animals
  
• Medicinal, edible, and other uses
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control