Tall Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus excelsa
A fast-growing, large deciduous tree native to India and Sri Lanka, highly valued for its …
Ford's tree of heaven (Ailanthus fordii)
Ford's Ailanthus
Evergreen Ailanthus
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Ailanthus fordii: Ford's Evergreen Ailanthus & Conservation
Inhabiting the evergreen broad-leaved forests of Southern China and Hong Kong, this rare tree stands as a symbol of regional botanical conservation. It shows a preference for sunny slopes and valleys at elevations ranging from 300 to 600 meters above sea level.
Due to its restricted native range and habitat fragmentation, it has become a species of high conservation priority. Government initiatives in Hong Kong actively protect wild populations from disturbance.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Ailanthus (Tree of heaven)
- ∟ species Ailanthus fordii (Ford's tree of heaven)
Morphology
Ailanthus fordii is a medium-sized evergreen tree that grows up to 10 to 15 meters in height. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown, while the young branchlets are stout and densely lenticellate.
- Leaves: The leaves are large, pinnate, and evergreen, measuring up to 60 centimeters in length. They are composed of 6 to 13 pairs of opposite or subopposite leaflets. The leaflets are thick, coriaceous, lanceolate-ovate, with entire margins, and have a glossy green upper surface.
- Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, unisexual flowers clustered in broad terminal panicles. The calyx has five lobes, and there are five petals.
- Fruits: Wings are prominent on the samaras, which measure about 4 to 5 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters wide, turning reddish-brown or yellowish-brown when ripe.
Flowering season
Flowering occurs in the spring, typically from April to May, and fruits mature in late summer, from July to September.
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Applications
Due to its rare and protected status, the tree is not commercially harvested for timber. It is primarily used in ecological restoration and urban landscaping within its native region, where its evergreen foliage and attractive form make it a desirable ornamental tree for parks.
Interesting facts
This species is named after Charles Ford, the first superintendent of the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens, who collected specimens in the late 19th century. In Hong Kong, it is legally protected under the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96A), making it illegal to damage or uproot wild specimens.
Geography of distribution
- Hong Kong
- China
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Hong Kong Herbarium
- Flora of China (efloras.org)
See also
Kurz's Ailanthus
Ailanthus kurzii
A tall tropical evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its winged …
Vilmorin's Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus vilmoriniana
A large deciduous tree native to western China, characterized by its deep red, finely pubescent …
White Siris
Ailanthus triphysa
A tall evergreen rainforest tree native to Asia and Australia, famous for its aromatic halmaddi …