DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 203 



in this country more than 70 feet high ; but the trunk shoots 

 up in a fine column, and the head is massy and irregular in 

 outline, ki this country it is planted purely for ornament, 

 hut we learn that in Europe its wood has been applied to 

 cabinet work ; for which, from its close grain and bright 

 satin-like lustre, it is well adapted.* The male and female 

 flowers are borne on separate trees, and both sexes are now 

 common, especially in New York. The male forms the 

 finer ornamental tree, the female being rather low, and 

 spreading in its head. 



In New York and Philadelphia, the Ailantus is more 

 generally known by the name of the Celestial tree, and is 

 much planted in the streets and public squares. For such 

 situations it is admirably adapted, as it will insinuate its 

 strong roots into the most meagre and barren soil, where 

 few other trees will grow, and soon produce an abundance 

 of foliage and fine shade. It appears also to be perfectly 

 free from insects ; and the leaves, instead of dropping 

 slowly, and for a long time, fall off almost immediately 

 vvhen frost commences. 



The Ailantus is a picturesque tree, well adapted to 

 produce a good effect on the lawn, either singly or grouped ; 

 as its fine long foliage catches the light well, and contrasts 

 strikingly with that of the round-leaved trees. It has a 

 troublesome habit of producing suckers, however, which 

 must exclude it from every place but a heavy sward, where 

 the surface of the ground is never stirred by cultivation. 



The branches of this tree are entirely destitute of the 

 small spray so common on most forest trees, and have a 

 singularly naked look in winter, well calculated to fix the 

 attention of the spectator at that dreary season. 



* Annales de la Societ6 d'Horticulture. 



