Grid reference | ST 14884 78806 |
Common name | Tree of heaven |
Origin | North China |
Deciduous | Yes |
Height | 14M September 2015 |
Girth | 185cm September 2015 |
Reference | 294 |
One of a group of trees at the south east corner of the park alongside Mary Street. This is a male 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.