The tree of heaven in the garden is an imposing sight. To keep it that way, it should be pruned regularly.
The tree of heaven not only brings exotic flair to your garden, it also shows an amazing pace. Just a year after planting, you'll be looking up at a tree about ten feet tall. It is not for nothing that the tree of heaven is considered a fast-growing plant throughout Europe. So that the joy of growing and thriving of the tree of heaven is not spoiled too quickly, the care should also be aimed at slowing down the tree of heaven in its urge to spread. If you don't miss this, you will be dealing with an easy-care and robust plant that attracts attention with its bizarre growth habit, its yellowish fragrant flowers and the reddish autumn colour.
Water the tree of heaven properly
The water requirement of the trees is not too high. As a rule, older plants can take care of themselves using rainwater. Due to the extensive and shallow root system, it is easy for the plant to absorb moisture from the upper soil layers. Young trees whose roots are not yet sufficiently developed can be lightly watered if the drought lasts longer.
Fertilize the tree of heaven properly
Since the plants develop well on any surface, fertilization is not absolutely necessary. Young plants have a higher nutrient requirement and therefore the substrate can be supplied with compost or horn shavings when planting to provide the young plants with an organic long-term fertilizer.
Pruning the tree of gods - what should be considered?
No special cutting measures are required. A thinning cut done in spring is perfectly adequate. Dead and diseased branches are removed. Always cut directly at the base. Branch stumps should not be left. These offer pests and fungi a portal of entry. Also remove inward growing branches and twigs that are crossing each other.
➔ Tip: If you want to change the growth habit or put the tree in its place, you can use the scissors all year round - on frost-free days. The shoots are immediately above oneBud shortened.
An overview of the most important care measures
| Care measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | Adult plants absorb sufficient moisture from the soil via their roots. Young plants should be watered regularly during the first three years - in the event of prolonged drought. |
| Fertilize | Fertilization is not absolutely necessary. Trees of heaven can also cope with rather poor soil. They will then only grow correspondingly more slowly. Horn shavings or compost can be added to the soil during planting. This provides young plants with long-term fertilizer. |
| Cut | Regular pruning is not necessary. Old and diseased shoots are removed in spring. It is also possible to shorten the shoots to minimize their size. Be careful when cutting - the plant is poisonous. |
The different types of the Tree of Heaven
The species was first mentioned in 1786 by René Louiche Desfontaines. There are about ten species of the plant.
A few varieties of the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) are known:
» variety altissima
This species is distributed almost all over China. The provinces of Qinghai, Jilin, Hainan and Ningxia are exceptions. This tree of heaven occurs as a neophyte in many areas of the world.
» variety sutchuenensis
This plant is found in the Chinese provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guangxi. There the trees of gods grow up to altitudes of 2,500 meters.
» variety tanakae
The main distribution area of this subspecies is in the northern part of Taiwan. There the plants mainly thrive in the mountain forests.
» Thorn Tree of Heaven
The distribution area of the thorny tree of heaven is limited to the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Hubei and Sichuan. There the plant is mainly found in light forests or on mountain slopes at altitudes between 500 and 2,800 meters.
» Girald's Tree of Heaven
In the Chinese provinces of Shaanxi, Yunnan, Gansu and Sichuan, the tree of heaven can be found in sparse mountain forests.
» Ailanthus triphysa
This is a common type of Tree of Heaven. The plants are found in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia.
The Multiplication of the Tree of Heaven
The propagation of the tree of heaven should not present any major problemsbecause the trees usually take care of this themselves by forming root suckers. Fresh shoots grow from these root shoots, which quickly grow into a small tree that can be easily separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a separate location.
Propagation by cuttings is also common. Anyone who already owns a tree of heaven will be able to make use of it at any time. Certainly there is also a tree of heaven owner in the circle of acquaintances or in the neighborhood who can do without a few cuttings when pruning the plants. Cuttings are preferably cut in spring.
The cutting should be about 20 centimeters long and first remove all leaves and buds in the lower area. You can immediately place the cuttings in a planter filled with potting soil. Rooting in a glass of water also works very well and, above all, very quickly. The rapid growth of the plants makes propagation child's play. Well-rooted cuttings can be placed directly outdoors and quickly develop into a small tree. If you get your cuttings in autumn, you should overwinter them indoors.
➔ Tip: Trees of heaven grow up to three meters in the first year.
Recognize diseases and pests on the tree of heaven
The tree of heaven belongs to the bitter ash family. The toxic plant components are probably one of the main reasons why the plants are hardly attacked by diseases and pests.
Occasionally, gray mold rot can occur. The fungus withers the shoots and the young branches, which are not yet lignified, die.
➔ Tip: If the tree of heaven is planted in a sunny and airy solitary position, it is less likely to be attacked by gray mold.
Among the pests, the Ailanthus spinner should be mentioned. This moth uses the Tree of Heaven as a source of food. The spinners were originally bred specifically for the production of silk in China. The Ailanthus spinner is now attacking more and more ornamental trees in Europe. There are no specific control agents on the market.
Wintering the Tree of Heaven
Fully grown trees of heaven cope quite well with the winter in our latitudes and withstand frost down to - 20 degrees without protective measures. Young trees should receive winter protection for the first three years. Leaves or brushwood applied to the ground can be used for this. Wrap the saplings with garden fleece anddon't skip the bark either. The bark of the tree of heavens must be protected from strong sunlight. Especially on young trees, the bark can burst open quickly and provide an entry point for fungi and pests.