Common Name:

General Information

Ailanthus excelsa is a deciduous tree growing 18 - 25 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 60 - 80cm in diameter[].
The tree is planted along the sides of roads to provide shelter, and is often found in rows at the edges of farms or streams[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the semi-arid to wet tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 40°c, but can tolerate 4 - 47°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but new growth can be killed at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,900mm, but tolerates 400 - 2,500mm[].
Grows best in a very sunny position[]. Prefers a light to medium soil, growing well in sandy soils of medium to low fertility so long as there is adequate moisture[, ]. Plants are relatively tolerant of salt in the soil[]. The branches are rather brittle, so a position sheltered from strong winds is preferred[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 7[]. Mature plants are drought tolerant[].
A fast-growing tree[].
The tree coppices well and produces root suckers that should be thinned to reduce competition[].
Survivability of newly planted trees is poor if the trees are not sufficiently watered during their first and second years of growth[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The gum and the bitter, aromatic leaves have medicinal properties[].

The bark is febrifuge and tonic[, ]. It is used as a treatment against asthma, bronchitis and dysentery[].

The leaves and bark are in good repute as a tonic that is used after labour[]. The juice of the leaves and fresh bark is used as a remedy for after-pains[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The trees are grown along the edges of fields and rivers to mark boundaries and prevent soil erosion[, ].

Other Uses

A gum of inferior quality is obtained from the bark[].

The white wood is soft, light in weight, not durable, nor is it resistant to wood eating organisms[, ]. Easily worked, it is used for making boxes, crates, fishing floats, toys, tool handles, and matches[, ].
The wood makes a good fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it can be stored for 12 months or more in open storage[].

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