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Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of Heaven, Stink Tree

synonym Ailanthus glandulosa

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Description

Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) originated in Northeast China and Korea, and is the largest and most impressive specimen of the trees of heaven. In its natural distribution area, the characteristic tree can grow to be 40 metres tall and has a beautiful, half open and broad, rounded crown. The species was marketed in Europe by the French botanist Pierre d’Incarville in 1751. Due to its invasive character, there is currently a trade ban on the Ailanthus altissima within the European Union.

Its long, irregular pinnate leaves bud bronze in May, turning green in the summer and a warm golden yellow in the autumn. Around June, the Ailanthus altissima blooms large standing white-green racemes. These flowers smell very unpleasant. In the autumn, the tree bears orange-red, winged nuts in large racemes. These are toxic, striking to see and stay on the tree for a long time. Its gorgeous, authentic bark is quite smooth and lined early on, but as it ages it develops a unique, furrowed pattern.

The tree of heaven can be widely used, in locations including streets, avenues, parks and central reservations. But the Ailanthus altissima also thrives in industrial locations and e.g. in car parks. In the cultivation stage, the species calls for more attention, seeing the rapid development of its main branches. Heat, drought, moderate (coastal) winds, air pollution and salt spray are well tolerated, and with its high nectar and pollen value, the tree of heaven is fantastic at producing pollen. Ailanthus altissima grows best in rich, deep soil, but has few requirements for its soil and grows even under the poorest conditions.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees characteristic trees woodland planting stock

Use

Location

street avenue square car park / parking lot park central reservation large garden traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

eco planting solid planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded

Crown structure

open open

Height

20 - 25 m

Width

15 - 20 m

Winter hardiness zone

6A - 8B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind slightly tolerant to coastal wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay peaty heavy clay light clay sand loamy soil all soils

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees nectar value 5 pollen value 5

Extreme environments

tolerant to salt spray tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Further information?

Would you like further information about Ailanthus altissima? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Ailanthus altissima standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Ailanthus altissima multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Ailanthus altissima multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Ailanthus altissima multi-stem
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
leaves leaves
Ailanthus altissima leaves
fruits fruits
Ailanthus altissima fruits
fruits fruits
Ailanthus altissima fruits
fruits fruits
Ailanthus altissima fruits
fruits fruits
Ailanthus altissima fruits
bark bark
Ailanthus altissima bark
bark bark
Ailanthus altissima bark
bark bark
Ailanthus altissima bark
twigs twigs
Ailanthus altissima twigs
twigs twigs
Ailanthus altissima twigs
twigs twigs
Ailanthus altissima twigs

Seasonal colours

Ailanthus altissima seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

raceme standing big unpleasantly scented

Flower colour

white-green

Flowering period

June - July

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze green

Leaves

deciduous lanceolate big polished scented dentate pinnate composite

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

orange-red

Fruits

striking winged toxic large raceme nut

Bark

Bark colour

brown pale grey

Bark

slightly furrowed striped

Twigs

Twig colour

red-brown

Twigs

hairy pendulous

Root system

Root system

shallow extensive fleshy roots root suckers roots push up surface

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
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m
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Width
m
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m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
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Autumn colour
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Fruit colour
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

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