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. In this country it is planted purely for ornament, 
but 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 
when 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 Societe d’Horticulture. 
