Wood Technological Properties of the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) and Studies on Possible Applications

Abstract The tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a neophyte that is classified as highly invasive. This study shows that in contrast to the challenges the forestry industry faces with this species, the wood of the tree of heaven has considerable promising technological and pulp and paper properties. The attractive wood is hardly distinguishable from European ash ( Fraxinus excelsior L.) both visually and in its mechanical properties. Consequently, the wood of the tree of heaven also has a high potential for load-bearing and solid-wood applications. A final technological evaluation of the wood is challenging because the tree of heaven is currently being massively combated, which negatively affects the quality of the roundwood material. Therefore, noncontrolled free-standing trees were examined in this study.