Original scientific paper

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (mill.) swingle) -invasive alien plant species in Croatia

Nenad Novak ; HCPHS - Zavod za zaštitu bilja
Maja Kravarščan ; HCPHS - Zavod za zaštitu bilja

Abstract

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a fast-growing deciduous tree originating from China, up to 35m in height. Its maximum adaptability to different environmental conditions in which it grows, makes it opportunistic and cosmopolitan species that is present on every continent except Antarctica. It was imported in Europe in 1740 as an ornamental species. Due to its rapid growth and branched root system, on some locations in Croatia it was planted as an erosion preventing species. Nowadays it is widespread throughout the entire country. It is shown to be more aggressive in the Croatian coastal area, including the islands which are particularly vulnerable, but also nature parks and national parks, in which its aggressive expansion suppresses the native species, irreversibly changing the landscape and affecting the stability of ecosystems while inflicting enormous and incalculable damage. Control of the tree of heaven is very demanding and in order to be successful, a combination of several different methods is required.

Keywords

tree of heaven; Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle; invasive alien plant species; distribution; control; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

169188

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/169188

Publication date:

1.4.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 4.923 *