Scientific Name
Ailanthus altissima
Trade Name
Ailianthus
Family Name
Simaroubaceae
Synonyms
Ailanthus glandulosa
Common Names
Ailianthus, Amboyna, Chinese sumach, Tree of heaven
Regions of Distribution
Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
China, India, Japan, South Africa
Common Uses
Cabinetmaking, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Paneling, Particleboard, Pulp/Paper products, Veneer: decorative
Distribution Overview
Native to China and Taiwan, it is only fitting that missionaries should introduce the “tree-of-heaven” to Europe in 1751 and to the US in 1784. It is listed as a serious weed in Australia and is widely spread, weedlike, in all temperate climates. It is estimated to range from Subtropical Dry to Wet through Cool Temperate Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones, tree-of-heaven is estimated to tolerate annual precipitation of 3 to 25 dm (tolerating a dry season up to 8 months), annual temperature of 10� to 20�C, and pH of 5.5 to 8.0. Growing on the smallest of city plots and rubbish heaps, this species can tolerate a wide array of soils, from acid to alkaline, sand to light clay, well-drained to swampy, poor to rich. It is said to do poorly on chalky soils or compact clay.
Heartwood Color
| Yellow | ||||||||||||
| White | ||||||||||||
| Orange | ||||||||||||
| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange | ||||||||||||
| White to cream |
Texture
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Closed | ||||||||||||
| Wavy | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Other (figure) |
| Lustrous |
Toxicity
| Some toxic effects | ||||||||||||
| Dermatitic effects |
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 30-40 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 20-30 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy | ||||||||||||
| Easy to glue |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work | ||||||||||||
| Easy to machine |
Polishing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Good results |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
References
Adamik, K.J.,1955,The use of Ailantus glandulosa as Pulpwood,Tappi 38(9) pp150-3
Adamik, K., Brauns, F.E.,1957,Ailanthus glandulosa (tree of heaven) as a pulpwood part II,TAPPI 40(7) pp522-7
Berchem, T.E., Et al,1972,Fibre length in the wood of tree of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima,Mill,Wood and Fibre 4(3) pp234-5
Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No.5 Philippines and Japan,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Moslemi, A.A., Bhagwat, S.G.,1970,Physical and mechanical properties of the wood of tree-of-heaven,(Ailanthus attissima Mill,Wood and Fibre 1(4) pp319-23
Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C.
Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford