Tree of Heaven - Ailanthus altissima

Description and Uses

Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) is a temperate tree from North China. but also

can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 7 - 11 years.

. Medical uses include;

The bark contains Ailanthone (0.40% - 0.60%). There is sumac oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s yielding 0.3 - 2% oil. The tree`s wood is called Chinese sumac wood and has a density of 640 - 660 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 12 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Ailanthus altissima has a lifespan of 50 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 25 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than partial shade. Ailanthus altissima has a shallow root-system and forms symbiotic relations

(endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The tree`s flower-morphology is bi-sexual and is pollinated by bees. Ailanthus altissima is deciduous in winter and a bit allelopathic and has no thorns.

Ailanthus altissima thrives in an altitude of 0 to 2000 meters above sea-level (temperate). The minimum temperature is -9°C and optimally between 10 - 29°C. The optimal rainfall is 1550 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 300 - 2500 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 8.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind tolerant and to fire tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

and

diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are epigeous and can be stored for 5 months. There are approximative 31500 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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