Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle – tree of heaven

group: 	RING-POROUS HARDWOODS

Macroscopic structure of wood

heartwood/sapwood: 	heartwood

description: 	wide sapwood (nad 5 cm), yellowish; heartwood yellowish grey, greenisch yellow to yellowish brown (slightly visible contrast between heartwood and sapwood)

rings: 	distinct boundary between rings; distinct zone of early wood and late wood in rings

vessels:	macro pores in early wood (X – holes, R, T – grooves), micropores in late wood (arrangement)

microvessels arrangement: 	nested arrangement

rays: 	wide, visible in X, R, T

texture: 	flatsawn (T), radial figure (R); decorative wood

Microscopic structure of wood

brief overview: 	Rays 1–10 (12) seriate, HomG*; microvessels in radial arrangement

ring: 	early wood and late wood very good distinct in rings	X

vessel types and arrangements: 	macrovessels in early wood (predominantly solitary), microvessels in late wood (arrangement)	X

microvessels arrangement: 	nested	X

type of vessel perforation: 	simple	R

tyloses: 	frequent in early wood vessels	X, R, T

vessel thickenings: 	fine spiral by late wood vessels	R, T

rays: 	homogeneous (poorly heterogeneous)	R, T

width of rays	1–10 (12)	T, (X)

apotracheal parenchyma: 	marginal	X

paratracheal parenchyma: 	scanty, (vasicentric)	X

other: 	dark substance in vessels

Wood properties

density: 	moderate heavy

ρ 0: 	600 kg/m3

ρ 12-15: 	630 kg/m3

ρ green: 	kg/m3

shrinkage: 	medium

- volumetric (βV): 	%

- radial (βR): 	%

- tangential (βT): 	%

mechanical properties: 	strong, elastic; similar to ash

ultimate strength in compression ||: 	MPa

ultimate strength in bending: 	MPa

ultimate strength in tension ||: 	MPa

hardness: 	moderate hard to hard

Janka's hardness: 	MPa

technological properties: 	no problem with working

resistance: 	medium resistance to fungi

Wood utilization

small practice application, similar to European ash; furniture, woodcarving, marquetry, wood haberdashery and imitation jewellery

References