Tree of Heaven Origin

The tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the bitter ash family. It originates from China and was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 18th century. Since then it has spread to many parts of the world. Trees of heaven are able to grow even in poor soil conditions and are therefore often referred to as weeds. They can grow up to 30 m tall and have a broad, spreading crown.

In Chinese mythology, the tree of paradise symbolizes resilience, strength and longevity, and is often planted in temple gardens to bring good luck and prosperity. In Hinduism, the tree of paradise is a symbol of immortality and purity.

Their green leaves are up to 30 cm long and have an egg-shaped shape. The leaves are shiny on the upper side and matte on the underside. Trees of heaven bloom from May to July and bear long, yellow inflorescences. The fruits are elongated capsules that ripen in autumn. The tree of heaven is the fastest growing tree in Europe. They are often used as ornamental plants in parks and gardens because they grow quickly and form an attractive crown.

In traditional Chinese medicine, parts of the tree of heaven, including leaves, bark and seeds, are used to treat diseases.

Tree of Heaven care and location

Trees of heaven require a location with plenty of light and moisture. They can thrive in many climates, but are susceptible to drought. The ideal soil is nutrient-rich, but they can also survive in poor soil. Trees of heaven are resistant to strong storms because they have a deep root system with pronounced branches.

Pruning the tree of heaven

The tree of heaven does not usually require any special pruning measures. A thinning cut can be carried out in spring. Diseased and dead branches are removed. The cut should be made directly at the base to avoid branch stumps, which provide an entry point for fungi. Branches and twigs that grow inwards and that cross over each other can be removed.

Watering the tree of heaven

Due to climate change, it is getting hotter in our regions and longer dry periods are the result. This has an impact on the environment and especially on the trees. Depending on the location and the climatic situation, the tree of heaven may need to be watered more often than in previous years. Sufficient watering is very important for young and newly planted tree of heaven plants. The substrate around the plant should never dry out completely, as this weakens it. The water requirement of a tree of heaven plant depends on several factors such as the length of the dry period and the condition of the plant. A general estimate of 75 to 100 liters per watering can be estimated for young plants and 150 to 200 liters for older plants.

To ensure continuous moisture, irrigation bags With conventional watering, only a small amount of water is absorbed directly by the plant. Large amounts of water only penetrate the surface of the soil and evaporate again. Another part seeps into the ground before it is absorbed by the roots. With watering bags, water is released drop by drop to the plant through two small holes over a period of several hours. This ensures even moisture so that the roots near the surface can also absorb the water well. The watering bag covers the soil and thus prevents evaporation.
With the help of baumbad watering bags, time, money and water are saved. By filling one watering bag, young trees of heaven are provided with sufficient water. For existing trees with a larger trunk diameter, two to three watering bags can be connected with a zip fastener.

Fertilizing Trees of Heaven

Trees of heaven are very robust and can thrive even in nutrient-poor soils. A special fertilization is not absolutely necessary. The growth of the very fast-growing tree of heaven is stronger the more nutrient-rich the soil is.

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