Ailanthus Wood Uses, Types, Properties, and Pros/Cons
We will talk about the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and include several types of Ailanthus. However, the abundance of information about the tree of heaven makes it the main character here.
Ailanthus altissima comes from China. But it’s been spread over the world, including Europe and America.
Ailanthus altissima wood looks beautiful with its natural luster and pore. Suitable for some beautiful furniture or decorative items. Ease of workability is also an advantage.
What is Ailanthus wood?
Ailanthus altissima is also known as the tree of heaven or Chinese Sumac.
This species is unique because it can grow anywhere, even on the ground close to the fall of the Hiroshima bomb. Therefore, the tree is called the tree of heaven.
The wood of Ailanthus altissima is cream to light brown, with straight grains that tend to brown. Ailanthus wood is the material for some wooden items, such as cabinets.
It seems that the availability is still abundant in the market. So there’s no need to worry about that.
Ailanthus wood properties
Ailanthus wood has a natural luster with cream to light brown tones. Straight grains with brown make it look attractive. Ailanthus is also considered resistant to insect attacks.
Work ailanthus wood with both hand tools and machines. Just use the machine to make it easier. Glues well, turn, and stains can be done well.
Ailanthus wood will look hollow when zoomed 10x. Looks unique. You’ll also see the grain line.
Ailanthus wood pros/cons
Appearance
Ailanthus altissima has a unique appearance with a beige color and is decorated with brown grains. This seems to be an advantage of the wood. Furniture making is probably pretty good.
With that color, it can captivate the hearts of some people. Or you can make them turned objects.
It looks like it would be pretty good Examples such as bowls, cups, ornaments, pens, and other delicate objects.
Maybe making decorative lamp shells with this is good enough. Or perhaps unique humidifier water in the living room to show off to see the grain.
Ailantus Wood Uses
Ailanthus wood does have many benefits for furniture and other wooden objects. But some types are not reliable. It seems that the existence of this tree is more of a medical function, given the many benefits of treatment.
Only Ailanthus altissima and Ailanthus triphysa were reported to be suitable for different woods.
Ailanthus altissima for cabinet making turned objects and pulpwood. While Ailanthus triphysa has brittle wood, so only plywood and matches are suitable.
Popularity
The popularity of Ailanthus wood is not getting a good role in the market. So it seems this is a weakness. It appears that only Ailanthus altissima can be used as furniture. For the other types, we do not know.
The low quality is the main factor that this wood is less attractive even though it is abundant globally, except for Ailanthus fordii, which is categorized as Near Threatened (NT) in China.
Ailanthus wood for cabinetry
Cabinets in beige do not seem bad. The brown grains around it will make it look more attractive. Ailanthus wood also has good resistance to insects. It looks like it’s so essential to the cabinets.
However, we have not found any information about its resistance to rot. But we hope to resistant well. Workability is also the reason for the use of ailanthus wood. Get lots of wood, then try to make your own. But be careful with skin irritation. This wood is reported can be causing this.
Ailanthus wood for turned objects
Make some turned objects from ailanthus wood. The attractive appearance of the wood is of high artistic value. The straight grains it has can also provide it.
Artisans seem to be happy to turn this wood into turned objects. You can try making decorative bowls or other objects. Its resistance to insects is also important.
You don’t have to worry about keeping it in one place for a long time. The insects seemed to be choosing somewhere else than this.
Ailanthus wood for paper (pulpwood)
Research of structural data on this timber mention that Ailanthus altissima is considered not suitable when used alone for writing paper and printing paper. However, this material has better brightness than E. globulus pulp.
For this reason, Ailanthus altissima is considered to have promising potential to replace raw materials for the Portuguese pulp industry.
The point is that this wood cannot be an independent raw material, but maybe one day, there will be something that can do it. Seeing the number of this wood, it looks like its processing must also be reproduced.
Types of Ailanthus
Ailanthus altissima
Ailanthus type is the main topic here. It can be grown anywhere with a height of up to 65-100 ft. The age up to 25 years old. Chinese people use the bark, roots, and leaves as medicinal herbs.
Ailanthus altissima wood is useful for making furniture such as cabinets.
Moreover, you can also create turned objects for decoration. Pulpwood is another option for the paper industry. Easy to work with a machine or with both of your hands are also advantages.
Ailanthus excelsa
Ailanthus excelsa, tree of heaven from India and Sri Lanka, and Many are planted on the riverside to prevent erosion. This tree has benefits in herbal medicine such as the bark of the trunk, which reduces fever, medicine for bronchitis, asthma, and dysentery.
The tree can also be used in the matchstick industry. It looks like you don’t need much hope to make it furniture. But you can try it. Looking at the size, make it to make small items.
Ailanthus fordii
Ailanthus fordii is a rare species that was first discovered between 1884 and 1886 at Cape D’Aguilar. Up to 5 m high, this tree also has ornamental value.
However, its current status in China is Near Threatened (NT). In Hong Kong, cultivation efforts have been made by making it an ornamental tree and a roadside tree. No need to expect much to make it furniture. Not at this time.
Ailanthus integrifolia
Ailanthus integrifolia can grow to 180 feet, with a diameter of 26 inches. This tree grows naturally in India, Vietnam, and other areas.
More precisely, in primary rainforest up to an altitude of 3,000 feet from sea level. Some trees tend to be elongated without branches, making them suitable for furniture. But it doesn’t seem popular. Not found information on the quality of wood.
Ailanthus triphysa
Description: Ailanthus triphysa or Ailanthus malabarica, also known as halmaddi in India and It’s an evergreen tree that lives in Asia and Australia. Medium to high, and has a rough skin resembling sandpaper with gray.
The shape of the tree tends to be elongated, with several branches at the top. Wood quality may be less good, but still good for some things.
Wood uses: The wood is brittle but makes good charcoal. Also great for plywood and even matches.
The resin obtained from the extraction process can be burned as incense in India. But the government there began to ban it because it could cause trees to die.
Not much can be made of this tree. Your cabinets will spoil quickly if it’s made of halmaddi. So please choose another wood.
Conclusion
Ailanthus is pretty good at some things, but don’t expect too much. Ailanthus altissima is the best with multiple benefits.
This paradise tree is good enough for furniture has a unique color and beautiful grain, but it is not recommended. Because the quality is not yet well known in the market, it’s best to use it for turned objects for decoration.
Because it might be easier to do, moreover, it seems that medicinal functions are the main focus of Ailanthus. This is evidenced by several species that have therapeutic benefits.
