Re: Tree of Heaven

Hi Clair,
The nurseries here do carry this tree,and I have seen several in junk yards and
the like which I know are never watered or cared for ..(our average precip is
11-13"annually).
With this  in mind, this being (airid west)desert country , its nothing short of
a miracle to see these abandoned(?)/volunteers growing so magnificiently with no
human aid..They dont seem to be truly invasive here,however the evidence of their
toxity to neighboring plants is a sure warning to beware..

Am I mistaken or are they part of the Sumac tribe?(Sumac of several varieties do
very well here.)
On several sites they cited common names i.e.Chinese Sumac,Stinking Sumac.

If as indicated they come from eastern China where the growing conditions are
harsh that maybe a clue as to why they are so tenacious..

Just a reminder that one size does not fit all in the plant world..As you stated
you have groves of them there displacing native plantings..Here they provide what
never existed....Hence it worries me that blanket decisions as to what is
*worthy*might be rendered  up for all, regardless of geographic area or climate.

Despite all the discussion of their stench etc.they are a green and  lovely sight
on a 100+deg.day.
Just wanted to offer another  point of veiw..
Connie

ECPep@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 9/3/00 7:20:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, berlin@wycol.net
> writes:
>
> << unrestrained loathing.  Anyway, could someone possibly explain the name?
>  What are the redeeming qualities of the tree that would justify such prose?
> >>
>
> Ailanthus: Tree-of-Heaven.  The Latinized version of the native Moluccan name
> ailanto, meaning "sky tree", for a species of this genus.  (species altissima
> under discussion).
>
> This is information from the handy Stearn on gardener's Latin.  It is sort
> removed from gardening.  I do not think any gardener would ever seek out and
> plant this tree.  Not in the East for sure.
>
> I mentioned the discussion to my husband who said he has been cutting one out
> of a ground level storm grate for years on a building that he owns.  The tree
> has endless powers of rejuvenation.  Apparently it was brought to this
> country as a shade tree that would endure smoke and pollution.  I cannot
> write on this list what he calls this tree.
>
> Claire Peplowski
> E Nassau NYS z4
>
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