Ailanthus

The genus Ailanthus includes about 10 species of hardy deciduous trees. Because of its growth and spread, as well as its ability to capture the surrounding space, Ailanthus is considered a weed. The leaves and male flowers have an unpleasant smell. Mostly grown very branched Ailanthus tall or glandular (Ailanthus altissima, or A. grandulosa), also called Chinese ash, with a characteristic erect trunk, brownish-gray bark with stripes, white in young plants and dark in adults. In height, it grows to 20-25 m. The crown is spreading, broad, ovate. Complex non-pinnate leaves up to 60 cm long consist of 13-25 oval-elliptical light green petiolate leaflets. This is a dioecious species, there are plants with only female or only male flowers. Greenish (red in buds) nondescript small flowers are collected in erect large panicles, they bloom from late May to July. Fruits are reddish single-seeded lionfish with slightly twisted lanceolate wings. In winter, they are kept on the plant for a long time. Ailanthus Jiralda (A. giraldii) is similar to the highest Ailanthus, but its leaves are larger, and they consist of a larger number of leaflets that are close to each other. Ailanthus Wilmora (A. vilmoriana) - a species up to 18 m high. Young shoots are prickly. Leaves up to 90 cm long are composed of oblong-lanceolate pointed leaflets.

The genus Ailanthus includes about 10 species of hardy deciduous trees. Because of its growth and spread, as well as its ability to capture the surrounding space, Ailanthus is considered a weed. The leaves and male flowers have an unpleasant smell.

Mostly grown very branched Ailanthus tall or glandular (Ailanthus altissima, or A. grandulosa), also called Chinese ash, with a characteristic erect trunk, brownish-gray bark with stripes, white in young plants and dark in adults. In height, it grows to 20-25 m. The crown is spreading, broad, ovate. Complex non-pinnate leaves up to 60 cm long consist of 13-25 oval-elliptical light green petiolate leaflets. This is a dioecious species, there are plants with only female or only male flowers. Greenish (red in buds) nondescript small flowers are collected in erect large panicles, they bloom from late May to July. Fruits are reddish single-seeded lionfish with slightly twisted lanceolate wings. In winter, they are kept on the plant for a long time.

Ailanthus Jiralda (A. giraldii) is similar to the highest Ailanthus, but its leaves are larger, and they consist of a larger number of leaflets that are close to each other.

Ailanthus Wilmora (A. vilmoriana) - a species up to 18 m high. Young shoots are prickly. Leaves up to 90 cm long are composed of oblong-lanceolate pointed leaflets.

Cultivation

Ailanthuses are grown in the open ground in parks and gardens, in alleys and single plantings and along city streets, because they are extremely resistant to air pollution, as well as to pests and diseases. Planted on a permanent planting site in the fall or spring. They are not demanding on soils, on the contrary, they even grow faster in areas with low-fertile soil. They thrive best in light, slightly moist and well-drained soil. Pruning is practically unnecessary, at least if you are not going to grow plants as shrubs or use them in hedges. In this case, it is enough to pinch the plants. Still, remove dry, damaged, or unsightly branches.

Ailanthuses are grown in the open ground in parks and gardens, in alleys and single plantings and along city streets, because they are extremely resistant to air pollution, as well as to pests and diseases. Planted on a permanent planting site in the fall or spring. They are not demanding on soils, on the contrary, they even grow faster in areas with low-fertile soil.

They thrive best in light, slightly moist and well-drained soil. Pruning is practically unnecessary, at least if you are not going to grow plants as shrubs or use them in hedges. In this case, it is enough to pinch the plants. Still, remove dry, damaged, or unsightly branches.

Location

Ailanthus prefers a place in the open sun, but also grows well in partial shade. The culture needs protection from the cold wind.

Temperature

This plant is resistant to fluctuations in air temperature.

Watering

Practically not required, it is necessary for plants that have just been planted in the ground.

Reproduction

It is propagated by seeds and root growth. The most common method is to sow seeds in autumn, in a closed, unheated room. After germination, as soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted into pots one at a time. Planting to a permanent planting site after several consecutive transfers to larger pots is carried out after 2-3 years.

Diseases

Ailanthuses are extremely resistant to diseases and pests, but they are affected by fungi of the genera Verticilla (Verticillium) and Armillaria(Armillaria), which cause yellowing of the leaves and slowing down the growth of the plant with irreparable damage. The disease can only be prevented by avoiding planting Ailanthus in infected land.

Acquisition

Ailanthus can be found in specialized nurseries and gardening centers. It is recommended to purchase female specimens, because the leaves and flowers of male specimens emit an unpleasant smell.