Grid reference | ST 18083 78521 |
Common name | Tree of heaven |
Origin | North China |
Deciduous | Yes |
Map section | T |
Planted | by Malcolm Frazer c.1995 |
Height | 10M June 2021 |
Girth | 73cm June 2021 |
Reference | 722 |
This is a female tree.
General tree description
Ailanthus altissima is a tall, fast-growing tree reaching heights of 30 metres. It has smooth, dark grey bark and huge leaves, 30 to 60cm or more, pinnate with up to 20 pairs of leaflets. They emerge pink but mature to dark green. The flowers are yellowish green or cream plumes appearing in mid summer. Ailanthus altissima is dioecious, with male and female flowers being borne on different individual trees. Male trees produce many more flowers then females, making the male flowers more conspicuous, and they emit an unpleasant odour while flowering. Female trees have huge bunches of fruits similar to ash-keys, each fruit having a seed at its centre. The seeds are initially green and ripen to red in late summer.