CHAP. XXX. 



XANTHOXYLA^CEiE. AILA'NTTJS. 



491 



trunk, seem to justify its original appellation of tree of heaven. On the 

 first approach of frost, the leaflets begin to drop, without having previously 

 shown any great change of colour, displaying in this respect a striking dif- 

 ference from the leaves of most species of iihus, to which those of this 

 tree bear a general resemblance, 



Geogrufhy^ History, ^c. This species of Aildntus is a native of the northern 

 provinces of China, more particularly in the neighbourhood of Pekin. Seeds 

 were sent to England, to the Royal Society of London, by the Jesuit mis- 

 sionary D'lncarville, in 1731 ; and they were sown by Miller in the Chelsea 

 Botanic Garden, and by Philip Carteret Webb, atBusbridge,in Surrey, in the 

 same year. As the tree produced suckers freely, it was soon generally pro- 

 pagated ; and there are many fine specimens of it in different parts of the 

 country. The original tree planted by Mr. Webb was cut down some years 

 ago ; but several others, which have sprung up fi'om the roots left in the soil, 

 were in existence about the same spot when we visited it in 1834. (See 

 Gard. Mag., vol. ix. p. 481.) The tree was introduced into France, in 1780, 

 by Mr. Blaikie, and the oldest specimens are at St. Leu, and in the Jardin des 

 Piantes. We have not heard of the timber having been applied to any useful 

 purpose in Europe, because trees of a large size are not yet sufficiently nu- 

 merous to admit of their being cut down for profitable application. In France 

 and Italy, it is much valued as a tree for shading public walks, and is planted 

 for that purpose along with the tuHp tree, the horsechestnut, the platanus, 

 and other large-leaved exotic trees. Its leaves are not liable to be attacked 

 by insects, which is a very great recommendation, and they continue on the 

 tree, and retain their green colour, till the first frosts in November ; when the 

 leaflets drop suddenly off, the petioles remaining on often a week or two 

 longer. The tree grows in any soil, though one that is hght and somewhat 

 humid, and a sheltered situation, suit it best. In France, it is said to thrive 

 on chalky soils, and attain a large size, where scarcely any other tree will 

 grow. It is readily propagated by cuttings of the roots. It might probably 

 be found a valuable tree to be treated as coppice, and cut down every third or 

 fourth year for fuel. 



Statistics. A. glandidbsa in the Environs of Londm. The largest tree is at Syon ; it is 70 ft. high the 

 diameter of the trunk 3 ft. 10 in., and of the head 40 ft. ; the trunk forms an erect column of about 



raeasuring 4 ft. 6 in. iti length. At Fulham Palace there is a tree, 20 years planted, which is 25 ft. hfgh* 

 In the London nurseries, plants are frequently to be met with, of two or three years' growth 12 ft 

 high. 



A. glandulbsa South of London. In Kent, at Cobham Hall, 20 years planted, and 35 ft. high the 

 diameter of the trunk 1 ft., and of the head IS ft. In the Isle of Jersej', in Saunders's Nursery 10 

 years planted, and 16ft. high. In Sussex, at Langham Park, 9 years planted, and 12ft high' at 

 Kidbrooke, SO years planted, and 30 ft. high. " ' 



A. glandulbsa North of London. In Bedfordshire, at Ampthill Park, 3 years planted, and 12 ft 

 high. In Berkshire, at White Knights, there are several trees, 19 years planted, and from 27ft to 

 30 ft. high, the diameter of the trunks about 9 in., and of the heads about 30 ft.: these trees produce 



flowers every year, and fruit occasionally. = '-^ - . 'r. . -r^ 



and 7 ft. high. In Cambridge, 

 the river Cam, one of which is 



Combe Abbey, 10 years planted, _ ^ 



years planted, and 16 ft. high. In Worcestershire, at Croome, 45 years planted, and 60 ft. high'"the 

 diameter of the head 90 ft. 



A. glandulbsa 171 Scotland. In Berwickshire, at the Hirsel, 3 years planted, and 6 ft. high In 

 Perthshire, at Kinfauns Castle, 8 years planted, and Id ft. high. In Stirlingshire, at Airthrie Castle 

 10 years planted, and 23 ft. high. In Sutherlandshire, atDunrobin Castle, 43 ft. high, the diamptpr 

 ofthetrunklft. 6in., andoftheheadSSft 



A. glandulbsa in Foreign Countries. In France, at Paris, in the Jardin des Piantes, 68 ft. high 

 vith the head 44 ft. in diameter, flowering most years, and ripening seeds occasionally ; at St' 

 :>eu, where it was planted on a large scale bv Mr. Blaikie in 1794, it is SO ft. high, with a trunk from 

 I ft. to 3J ft. in diameter; in the Botanic Garden at Toulon, 50 years planted, and 60ft. hich • at 

 sTerrieres, near Nantes, 40 years planted, it is 50 ft. high. At Geneva, at tlie entrance to the^Bo 

 tanic Garden, there is a tree, from 45 ft. to 50 ft high, the trunk of which, in 1833, measured 7 ft 3 in* 



'^ --^ - = - - jeable odour which pro! 



tes de distance) ; and its 

 In Saxony, at Worlitz 

 versity Botanic Garden^ 



