Re: Tree of Heaven is HELL
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Tree of Heaven is HELL
- From: L*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 01:55:12 EDT
> Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 19:09:15 -0400
> From: "Bolt Upright" <berlin@wycol.net>
> I'm not familiar with this tree, at all, but it's certainly been
fascinating
> reading all of the negative reviews of something with such a celestial >
name... Anyway, could someone possibly explain the name?
> What are the redeeming qualities of the tree that would justify such
> prose?
Well, the only redeeming quality I can think of is that the tree is so nasty
that nothing chews on the leaves so the foliage stays nice. That, of course,
has nothing to do with its name.
It is a very tall tree which grows rapidly to 75-100 feet -- hence, the name.
The Latin species epithet, 'altissima', means tallest. It is called tree of
heaven because it reaches for the heavens, not because it is heavenly. There
is a specimen at the Missouri Botanical Garden (why, I do not know) that
towers over nearby Gingko and other stately trees. Looking up at that tree,
it is easy to see how it got its name. It appears one could climb it all the
way to heaven.
Connie wrote: >>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.<<
Ailanthus altissima is in the Simaroubaceae family and sumac is in the genus
Rhus which is in the Anacardiaceae family. So, no, they are not in the same
family. I was not aware of the common names Chinese sumac and stinking
sumac. It is from China and it does stink, but why
the sumac? Perhaps because the leaves are somewhat similar?
--Janis
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