120 species, is mostly tropical and subtropical, and is closely related to the 
ei “ha (see the corktree in this guidebook). Like citrus species, the 
eaves have a pungent fragrance when crushed (but pl ? i 
at the Garden). a 
The name Ailanthus is derived from Ailantho, an indigenous Asian 
name for a different species, and indicates a tree tall enough to reach the 
sky. From this possibly comes the common name “tree-of-heaven”. Altis- 
stma is Latin for “very tall”. 
Scorned and relegated far from heaven to the back alley, the tree-of- 
heaven deserves affection as the only tree to shade some gritty urban 
neighborhoods. It was, in fact, featured in a famous film, "A Tree Grows in 
Brooklyn." 
TULIPTREE (YELLOW-POPLAR) oo 
Liriodendron tulipifera 
Tuliptrees can be enormous—200 feet 
tall with long, straight trunks 10 feet in 
diameter. Because of its size, rapid 
growth, and ease of woodworking, this 
is a valuable lumber tree, although the 
wood is not strong. The misleading 
common name yellow-poplar comes 
from the similarity of tuliptree wood to 
that from poplars, which are not closely 
related. 
Tuliptrees range from Canada to 
Florida, reaching their western limit in 
Missouri, where wild tuliptrees are 
confined to rich woods at the southeast- 
ern corner of the state. The Garden’s 
37 
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