Ailanto

Ailanto (Ailanthus glandulosa, the 'tree of heaven'), a lofty and beautiful tree, of the natural order Simarubaceæ, a sub-order of Rutaceæ, a native of South-eastern Asia, was brought from China in 1751, and is now frequently planted to shade public walks in France and Italy. It has also been introduced into Germany, Britain, and the United States, but is apt to be injured by frost when young. The leaves are large and pinnate, with an odd leaflet resembling those of the ash. The tree grows very well on chalky soils, and is easily propagated. The wood is fine grained, satiny, and suited for cabinet-making, and the leaves afford nutriment to a species of silkworm (Bombyx Cynthia). It is sometimes known as Vernis du Japon, apparently by confusion with certain species of Rhus.