Tall Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus excelsa
A fast-growing, large deciduous tree native to India and Sri Lanka, highly valued for its …
Great Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus grandis)
Giant Ailanthus
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Ailanthus grandis (Giant Ailanthus) - Ecology and Profile
Reaching heights of up to 60 meters, Ailanthus grandis stands out as one of the tallest canopy trees within its distribution range in the eastern Himalayas and Southeast Asia.
This majestic deciduous species thrives in wet evergreen forests, colonizing valley slopes and riverbanks. It plays an important ecological role by providing a high canopy cover and stabilizing soils along mountainous terrains.
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 grandis (Great Tree of Heaven)
Morphology
This species is distinguished by its massive stature and exceptionally straight, cylindrical trunk that branches only at a considerable height. The leaves are large, pinnately compound, often exceeding one meter in length, and bear 10 to 15 pairs of leaflets with asymmetric bases.
Its inflorescences are dense, terminal panicles bearing numerous small, yellowish flowers. The fruit is a notably large, woody samara, measuring up to 12 centimeters in length, which contains a single flat seed in the center and is designed for efficient wind dispersal.
Flowering season
Spring
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Name
Dec
Applications
The light, soft wood of this tree is utilized locally for manufacturing plywood, packing crates, matchsticks, and paper pulp. In traditional practices, various parts of the plant are employed in folk medicine, while its fast-growth habit makes it valuable for local reforestation efforts.
Interesting facts
Its massive size and rapid growth rate allow it to quickly dominate gaps in the forest canopy, making it a pioneer species of primary and secondary tropical forests. The exceptionally large winged seeds are among the largest in the genus, enabling them to travel long distances from the mother tree.
Geography of distribution
- India
- Bhutan
- China
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Vietnam
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- 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 …