Chinese ash or, as it is called, tallest ailanthus, is a sought-after crop that belongs to the Simarubov family. It is often used in landscape design to design parks, squares and recreation areas. This plant has become famous not only for its attractive appearance, but also for its medicinal properties. That is why foliage and many other fragments of culture have been used in alternative medicine since ancient times.
What kind of plant is this
This crop is a tall tree that can reach a height of 35 meters. In this case, the diameter of the trunk does not exceed 50 centimeters. The wood is covered with growths that look like jagged edges. However, there are relatively few such formations - the bark is predominantly smooth.
This crop is a representative of the Ailanthus genus, which is why it has a typical shoot structure. The leaves on the branches are arranged quite densely and exceed 55 centimeters in length. The plates are dark green in color and have a blunt end. The leaves are glossy on the outside and matte on the inside.
Chinese ash is considered a dioecious plant. This means that the flowers pollinate themselves. The buds are green in color and hang on panicles measuring 15 centimeters. Budding occurs in the middle and end of summer. In favorable conditions, with the advent of autumn, a second wave occurs.
Chinese ash is characterized by branched roots that can withstand strong gusts of wind. The tree is predominantly found in the southern regions, and therefore needs sufficient water. This is associated with a significant size of the root system.
Ailanthus the highest is considered a winter-hardy crop, as it can easily withstand exposure to negative temperatures. However, when the temperature drops to -25 degrees, Chinese ash needs insulation.
Growth area
China is considered the birthplace of this culture. The tree has been grown there for a long time to breed ailanthus silkworms. The plant is also cultivated in North America and Europe. It acts as an excellent landscaping plant and decorates parks and squares.
The culture came to Russia in 1751. It is found in Astrakhan, Volgograd, and the North Caucasus.This crop is considered undemanding to soil composition and is characterized by resistance to drought. At the same time, it forms many root suckers. In many places the tree has gone wild. It often creates thickets in ravines, along roads or near abandoned buildings.
Advantages and useful properties
Chinese ash has many benefits. These include the following:
- pronounced decorative properties;
- high frost resistance;
- low maintenance requirements;
- medicinal properties;
- Possibility of application in construction.
Ailanthus the highest is a culture that has a number of medicinal characteristics. Its foliage, fruits and flowers contain many active substances that benefit the human body. These include the following:
- vitamins A and C;
- ailantine;
- lactones;
- tannins;
- saponins;
- alkaloids;
- essential oils;
- coumarin heterosides.
In addition to valuable components, Chinese ash contains quassin. It is a powerful toxin. If a large amount of this substance enters the human body, there is a risk of death. Quassin is present in the seeds of the plant, which is why they are not used for medicinal purposes.
Ailant is actively used in the pharmacological industry and folk medicine. Thanks to this plant it is possible to achieve the following effects:
- cope with inflammatory processes;
- improve the condition of the skin in dermatological pathologies;
- cope with viruses and dangerous bacteria;
- eliminate fungal infections;
- cope with helminths;
- accelerate the natural flow of bile, which helps prevent the formation of gallstones;
- restore intestinal microflora in case of various infections;
- normalize the functions of the digestive system;
- stop bleeding and stimulate wound healing;
- normalize the menstrual cycle;
- achieve a mild diuretic effect, cope with swelling and pathologies of the urinary system;
- improve the functioning of the central nervous system;
- strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to viruses and bacterial microorganisms.
Application in medicine
Due to the fact that ailanthus bark has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used to combat intestinal disorders and dysentery. The product also helps remove tapeworms from the body.
The fruits of Chinese ash are used to combat hemorrhoids. In addition, they help stabilize the menstrual cycle. The leaves of the plant are used to treat ulcers. At the same time, flowers, young bark and shoots can be used for diphtheria and scarlet fever. In addition, the fruits of the crop help cope with cholelithiasis and urolithiasis.
A decoction of atlas leaves is used to treat the following pathologies:
- kidney diseases;
- fever;
- arthritis;
- radiculitis;
- pathologies of the bladder;
- constipation;
- bleeding;
- wounds;
- rheumatism.
It is worth considering that Chinese ash is not used in official medicine because it has poisonous juice. Fans of traditional treatment are strictly prohibited from exceeding the dosage, as this can lead to irreparable consequences.
Who should not be prescribed ash
Preparations made from Chinese ash do not have clear contraindications for use. However, it is important to remember that an excess of such drugs can cause harm to the body. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations.
Products based on ailanthus superior are prohibited from being used in the following cases:
- individual intolerance or allergic reactions to plant components;
- childhood;
- pregnancy;
- lactation.
People who care for the tree must strictly adhere to safety precautions. When contacting plant sap, be sure to wear gloves. This particularly applies to pruning. Tree sap is irritating. Therefore, upon contact with skin, it can cause rashes or irritation.
How to prepare leaves
It is recommended to harvest Chinese ash leaves before flowering. This should be done at the beginning of summer. Flowers should be taken in the morning after the dew has dried. This is recommended to be done in dry weather. It is advisable that there is no precipitation for several days before harvesting.
The collected raw materials must be dried according to standard rules. It is recommended to do this in the shade, without direct access to sunlight. It is important to ensure good ventilation. It is best to place the raw materials in the attic or under a shed. Any shaded, ventilated room is also suitable.
Planting a plant
Ailanthus the highest is considered an unpretentious crop that requires virtually no care. The annual growth of the crop is 2-3 meters. The plant is characterized by resistance to external factors. It can be planted in the sun or shade. The highest ailanthus also does not make any special demands on the composition of the soil.
However, it is not recommended to plant the crop in a small area. The tree is characterized by rapid growth. Therefore, its crown can interfere with the cultivation of light-loving plants.
The optimal place for planting Chinese ash is considered to be an open sunny place or partial shade.In this case, it is important to choose the right place right away, since the plant does not like transplantation.
It is recommended to apply complex fertilizer into the planting hole. It is also permissible to use rotted manure or ash. An excellent option would be products such as Kristalon or Kemira.
When preparing a hole, it is recommended to focus on the size of the root system of the seedling. In this case, you need to add a few centimeters to the diameter.
Aftercare
The plant does not need specific care. It will be possible to assess whether the conditions are suitable for the crop by looking at the annual growth. If the tree grows slowly, care needs to be improved. If the culture is started, it will grow to a maximum of 14 meters and will not develop further. In this case, the lifespan will decrease.
Fertilizing should be done 2 times a year. This is done in spring and autumn. In this case, it is recommended to use azofoska and other complex substances. In this case, it is necessary to use not only organic products, but also mineral preparations.
Chinese ash is considered a moisture-loving crop. For irrigation you need to use clean water. It is important that it warms up sufficiently, since cold has a negative impact on the condition of the root system. To improve the penetration of moisture into the soil, the tree trunk circle needs to be dug up every year.
Growing Chinese ash in the northern regions is difficult. When planting crops in Siberia and the Urals, the tree must be prepared for winter. In this case, the trunk needs to be hilled, and the young seedlings need to be covered. To reduce the likelihood of frostbite, plantings should be placed in places that are reliably protected from drafts.
Pest Control
Before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to wrap the tree trunk in agrofibre. You can also use cardboard and a layer of roofing felt.Thanks to this, it will be possible to avoid damage to the crop by rodents. Small insects do not harm the plant. It has a strong bark that even ants cannot damage. At the same time, the caterpillars are repelled by the fragrant leaves.
Chinese ash is a rather interesting crop that is actively used in folk medicine. At the same time, the plant is considered undemanding to care, so anyone can grow it.
