THE TREE
Ailanthus altissima /eɪˈlænθəs ælˈtɪsɪmə/, commonly known as tree of heaven, ailanthus or varnish tree is a deciduous tree in the family Simaroubaceae.
Unlike other members of the genus Ailanthus, the Altissima is found in temperate climates rather than the tropics, and native to central and north east China as well as Taiwan. From the 1700s onwards it has been cultivated in North America and Europe.
Its appearance most resembles the European Ash, with its pale, yellow white timber and its fans of pinnately compound leaves.
PEST
The Ailanthus is not a popular tree, not amongst horticulturists and not among the random people responding to my social media posts and blogging. It is extremely invasive when it is planted in non-native places it upsets the local ecosystems in numerous ways. Not only does it propagate much faster than the native species it has crowded next too but also secretes chemicals into the soil to kill off its rivals and any animal species it might consider a threat, potentially leading to extinctions and/or negatively effecting bio-diversity.
In the urban environment, where our tree had been growing for 50 years plus, the tree can cast itself across various gardens and parks, causing the same problems as in rural areas plus it can hit the built environment. Numerous cases have been recorded of the Ailanthus tree spreading its roots under the foundations of buildings, causing damag to the houses and also sewer systems and pulling up pavements.
Its quite a git.
The Royal Horticultural Society advises “If you already have these species in your garden or on your land, you are not likely to be prosecuted simply for having them. However, you are advised to control them and, for those 36 plants listed by EU, you are required to take all possible steps to remove them, even if you didn’t plant them. It is also your responsibility to ensure that they are not allowed to spread.”
EU Regulation lists the Ailanthus as an Invasive Alien Species. This legislation still applies in the UK. It lists Ailanthus altissima as one of 36 plants that you should not plant or cause to grow in the wild but in addition are banned from sale and gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them.