Ailanthus altissima at Cathays Cemetery

Ailanthus altissima 0

Ailanthus altissima
mid July 2021

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.

Ailanthus altissima bark

Ailanthus altissima bark
late June 2021

Ailanthus altissima leaf1

Ailanthus altissima leaves & seeds
late June 2021

Ailanthus altissima bud1

Ailanthus altissima flower buds
late June 2021

Ailanthus altissima leaf2

Ailanthus altissima new leaves
late June 2021

Ailanthus altissima flower1

Ailanthus altissima flowers
mid July 2021

Ailanthus altissima flower2

Ailanthus altissima flowers
mid July 2021

Ailanthus altissima seed1

Ailanthus altissima seeds
late September 2022

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.