Local names:
Arabic (ailanthus,neem hindi), English (ailanthus,coramandel ailanto,tree-of-heaven), Gujarati (aduso,ardusi,bhutrakho), Hindi (maharuk,ardu,ardusi,arua,horanim maruk,aduso,mahanim,mahrukh,maruf,pedu,Pee vepachettu,pir nim), Nepali (maharukh), Sanskrit (
Ailanthus excelsa is a large deciduous tree, 18-25 m tall; trunk straight, 60-80 cm in diameter; bark light grey and smooth, becoming grey-brown and rough on large trees, aromatic, slightly bitter. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, large, 30-60 cm or more in length; leaflets 8-14 or more pairs, long stalked, ovate or broadly lance shaped from very unequal base, 6-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, often curved, long pointed, hairy gland; edges coarsely toothed and often lobed. Flower clusters droop at leaf bases, shorter than leaves, much branched; flowers many, mostly male and female on different trees, short stalked, greenish-yellow; calyx 5 lobed; 5 narrow petals spreading 6 mm across; stamens 10; on other flowers, 2-5 separate pistils, each with elliptical ovary, 1 ovule, and slender style. Fruit a 1-seeded samara, lance shaped, flat, pointed at ends, 5 cm long, 1 cm wide, copper red, strongly veined, twisted at the base The generic name ‘Ailanthus’ comes from ‘ailanthos’ (tree of heaven), the Indonesian name for Ailanthus moluccana.
Ecology
A. excelsa grows well in semi-arid and semi-moist regions and has been found suitable for planting in dry areas with annual rainfall of about 400 mm. It is commonly found in mixed deciduous forests and some sal forests, but is rare in moist areas with high monsoons. Plant associations include Acacia catechu, A. leucophloea and Azadirachta indica. It is a relatively salt-tolerant species.
Native range
India, Sri Lanka
Tree management
A. excelsa has a strong light requirements. The recommended spacing is 6x 6m for Agroforestry and 3 x 3 m in block plantations.The seedlings are susceptible to frost and are easily suppressed by weeds as a result of shading. Prolonged drought also kills the seedlings,although the poles and trees are drought resistant. Waterlogging and poor drainage cause high seedling mortality. It coppices well and produces root suckers that should be thinned to reduce competition.
Seeds are usually picked before maturity since fully mature fruits are liable to lose most of their seeds through wind dispersal as soon as attempts are made to collect them. Seed storage behaviour is probably orthodox; viability is maintained for 1 year in open storage. There are about 9500 seeds/kg.
A. excelsa grows well in semi-arid and semi-moist regions and has been found suitable for planting in dry areas with annual rainfall of about 400 mm. It is commonly found in mixed deciduous forests and some sal forests, but is rare in moist areas with high monsoons. Plant associations include Acacia catechu, A. leucophloea and Azadirachta indica. It is a relatively salt-tolerant species.
Natural reproduction occurs through seed and coppice. Seedling regeneration is generally scanty and cannot be relied upon to regenerate natural stands. Natural regeneration through coppice and root suckers is adequate so long as the trees harvested are healthy. Artificial regeneration is through direct seeding or planting pregerminated seed.
Sheep do not readily browse the plants because of the offensive smell in young leaves. Mature leaves are lopped for their excellent sheep fodder.
Wood makes good firewood.
Timber: The wood is easily worked but is perishable and subject to insect attack and stain. It is used in boxes, crates, poles, fishing floats, tool handles, matches and drums.
Shade or shelter: A. excelsa is grown as a shade and avenue tree throughout most of the hotter parts of India.
Medicine: Bark, gum and the bitter aromatic leaves are used medicinally in home remedies.
Gum or resin: The bark yields a gum of inferior quality.
The trees serve as shelterbelts along borders of fields.