Re: Tree of Heaven
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Tree of Heaven
- From: D* S*
- Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 08:27:59 -0400
On Sun, 03 Sep 2000 21:06:39 -0600 connie hoy <coneh@uswest.net> writes:
> 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.
No, those common names are based on superficial similarities, not actual
relationship. They're both in rather small, obscure families: Ailanthus
is in the Simaroubaceae; sumac (genus Rhus) are in the Anacardiaceae.
> 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..
Eastern China, for the most part, has a relatively mild, temperate
climate.
>
> 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.
But, Connie, you're looking at it from the perspective of "Now I have a
shade tree where I wouldn't otherwise have had one." Are you considering
the impact on the native flora and fauna? If the tree only grows in
areas which have already been devastated by humans (such as the standard
subdivision or condominium development), then that's one thing -- but do
the trees ever venture beyond the pavement? Displacement happens in a
variety of ways, often in ways that the average person wouldn't notice.
The native plants of your area did not evolve amidst large shade trees.
Dean Sliger
Warren, Michigan, USA
Zone 6B
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