Ailanthus altissima
Tree of heaven
Also known as Ailanthus glandulosa, Ailanthus giraldii
- Height × spread
- 25m × 15m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Large and handsome, this tree has subtle, brown and cream stripes on the bark, rather like the snake bark maple Acer davidii 'George Forrest'. It has pinnate leaves, which can reach up to 1m (3ft) in length. The leaves are brownish-red when they first appear, settling to grey-green with some yellow autumn colour. Insignificant flowers are produced in June and July and the male flowers can smell slightly unpleasant. In autumn, reddish bracts of key-like fruits are produced on female trees and these are pretty while they last. The tree is tolerant of a wide range of conditions such as areas with low rainfall and sites subject to pollution. It can be hard pruned each year and grown as a shrub for foliage effect. Ailanthus altissima deserves a specimen position in a large garden.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Brown-red
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow
- Stem colour
- Green, Grey
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, unpleasant- burnt milk
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 25m
- Spread
- 15m
- Height in 10 years
- 14m
- Spread in 10 years
- 8m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Coloured stems, Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin irritant
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water until well established
Until well established, plants in the ground should be watered deeply at regular intervals after a dry period. This is likely to be 1 and 2 weeks without rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.