Ailanthus altissima |
Native Region: China
Preferred Climate: temperate
Harvest Date: Tuesday 31 October, 2006
Seed count: 15-20
Description:
This spreading deciduous tree is grown for its striking foliage and colorful, winged fruit. The leaves are oblong to elliptic, pinnate and composed of up to 30 leaflets. They open reddish green and turn mid-green. Terminal panicles up to 12 inches across of small green flowers are produced in summer and are followed by red-brown fruit. The book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, by Betty Smith was based on the ailanthus tree. The species was brought into North America by the Chinese who came to California during the goldrush in the mid-1800s.
Cultivation:
Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or in spring. The seed germinates best if given a short cold stratification of 8 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, keep them in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Grow in deep, fertile well-drained soil in sun or part shade. This tree is tolerant of poor soil, drought and pollution. Can be trained as a central leader standard or pruned hard annually to grow as a large-leaved shrub.
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