Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Family Name Gluing Heartwood Color Numerical Data Polishing References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Scientific Name Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size		Scientific Name Ailanthus altissima Trade Name Ailianthus Family Name Simaroubaceae Synonyms Ailanthus glandulosa Common Names Ailianthus, Amboyna, Chinese sumach, Tree of heaven Regions of Distribution Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] China, India, Japan, South Africa Common Uses Cabinetmaking, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Paneling, Particleboard, Pulp/Paper products, Veneer: decorative Distribution Overview Native to China and Taiwan, it is only fitting that missionaries should introduce the "tree-of-heaven" to Europe in 1751 and to the US in 1784. It is listed as a serious weed in Australia and is widely spread, weedlike, in all temperate climates. It is estimated to range from Subtropical Dry to Wet through Cool Temperate Dry to Wet Forest Life Zones, tree-of-heaven is estimated to tolerate annual precipitation of 3 to 25 dm (tolerating a dry season up to 8 months), annual temperature of 10° to 20°C, and pH of 5.5 to 8.0. Growing on the smallest of city plots and rubbish heaps, this species can tolerate a wide array of soils, from acid to alkaline, sand to light clay, well-drained to swampy, poor to rich. It is said to do poorly on chalky soils or compact clay. Heartwood Color Yellow White Orange Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Texture Figure Interlocked Closed Wavy Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Lustrous Toxicity Some toxic effects Dermatitic effects Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 0-10 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Numerical Data Item Green Dry English References Adamik, K.J.,1955,The use of Ailantus glandulosa as Pulpwood,Tappi 38(9) pp150-3 Adamik, K., Brauns, F.E.,1957,Ailanthus glandulosa (tree of heaven) as a pulpwood part II,TAPPI 40(7) pp522-7 Berchem, T.E., Et al,1972,Fibre length in the wood of tree of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima,Mill,Wood and Fibre 4(3) pp234-5 Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No.5 Philippines and Japan,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Moslemi, A.A., Bhagwat, S.G.,1970,Physical and mechanical properties of the wood of tree-of-heaven,(Ailanthus attissima Mill,Wood and Fibre 1(4) pp319-23 Nation Research Council,1980,Firewood Crops Shrub and Tree Species for Energy Production,National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford