The tree of heaven is not for everyone because it spreads very quickly. If you still want to plant it, you can find the exact instructions here.
Trees of heaven belong to the bitter ash family and are mostly found in Asia. The species Ailanthus altissima occurs primarily in Europe. The trees are very old. Corresponding finds were already made in the Tertiary. If you want a fast-growing tree, you will be happy with the tree of heaven. With proper care, it can grow several meters in the first year. In an ideal location, the trees often grow up to 30 meters high. When planting the tree of heaven, there are a few things to consider, because the plants spread very quickly and often crowd out their plant neighbors.Tree of Gods: Small Plant Description
The tree of heaven is a fairly undemanding deciduous tree. The deciduous trees grow quickly and form a densely branched network of flat roots. The lifespan of the plants is around 50 to 70 years. The trees remain bare well into spring and often do not sprout until the end of May. Then the pinnate leaves, reminiscent of the foliage of the ash tree, appear, which emit a characteristic smell that many hobby gardeners take some getting used to. About four weeks after sprouting, the tree of heaven begins to bloom. The yellow-green panicle flowers appear rather subtle and are a playground for numerous insects in summer. The seeds hang in clusters on the branches and catch the eye with their reddish colour. The wind spreads the seeds over a large area. The tree of heaven usually germinates in almost any location and reaches an impressive height of up to 20 meters within 15 years.
The tree of heaven is undoubtedly attractive to look at and an ornament for every garden. However, its aggressive spreading has earned it a spot in the top 100 invasive plants. However, if this fact is taken into account when planting and a root barrier is created, then you will have a lot of fun with this attractive and bizarre plant.
Origin and Spread of the Tree of Heaven
The trees of the gods originally come from East Asia. There will bealso called the tree of heaven and used for healing purposes. The tree of heaven was able to spread in Europe in the 18th century when Jesuit monks had its seeds with them. In parks and extensive green areas, the tree of heaven delights with its exotic flair. The plants have long since taken care of their own propagation, so that targeted cultivation is usually no longer necessary.
Plant a tree of gods - find the right location
If you want to plant a tree of heaven, you should be aware of its dimensions. A tree of heaven should be avoided in a small garden.
Tip: Vinegar is a welcome alternative in smaller gardens.
The distances to the street and to the neighboring property are stipulated by law. There are differences between the individual federal states. If you want to be sure, you should inquire with the responsible authorities on site. The height of the tree is used as a benchmark for the distance to your own home. In this specific case, a space of 25 meters from the building should be allowed for.
The plants make few demands on the actual stand. If you find a sunny spot, the tree of heaven will develop well.
Selecting the ideal substrate
The plants are extremely undemanding when it comes to the substrate. Trees of Heaven will also thrive on dry and rather barren soil. The tree of heaven may not grow as quickly on soil that is not rich in nutrients, but this should actually suit many hobby gardeners.
What should be considered when buying a tree of heaven?
Trees of gods are available in specialist shops as containers or bales. In order to buy a he althy and strong plant, you should pay special attention to a few things when buying:
- smaller trees grow faster
- Trunk and branches should not show any injuries
- The roots must not curl but radiate out
- smaller trees are quicker to get used to the new location
If the transport route is longer, moisten the root ball more frequently. Even if you don't plant the plant straight away at home, the root ball must not dry out.
No confusion
Young trees of heaven can easily be confused with the vinegar tree due to the shape of their leaves. On closer inspection, however, the vinegar tree has significantly smaller leaves. The yellowish blossoms give rise to confusion with the ornamental mahonia, aPlant, which also comes from Asia. Ash is the most common source of confusion. A distinction can be made with regard to the pinnate leaves and the black buds.
Planting the tree of heaven - step by step
There is nothing wrong with planting the tree of heaven in the ground all year round. However, there should be no frost. Due to the late sprouting, however, it can happen that the shoots are damaged by early frosts. Spring is therefore the preferred time for planting.
- Select Location
- Loosen soil
- Water plant
- poss. Place drainage
- Expose root ball
- Put the plant in the middle of the planting hole
- Fill substrate
- Press the base lightly
- Install Support Poles
- Water the plant well
Tip: Do not use stable manure. This could damage the roots.
The bottom of the planting hole is loosened. If it is a fairly heavy and impermeable substrate, it is advisable to lay a drainage made of gravel or potsherds. Then the tree of heaven is placed in the planting hole. Make sure that the roots are free and the root ball is no longer covered with a cloth or something similar. Fill in the substrate and press down the planting hole well. To protect the tree from wind breakage, drive three support pillars into the ground. These are connected with ribbons. Finally, water the plant well. You can create a watering rim so that the liquid penetrates better to the roots.