NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html

'...grows raipidly to heights of 80ft or more...'

'...amateur gardeners should be vigilant. Look out for sprouts and self
sown seedlings... remove them.'

'...Ailanthus leaks toxins into the ground which prevent the
germination and establishment of other species in its vicinity.'

'...is fiercly resistant to human intervention... responds to cutting
by throwing out underground suckers which can damage pavements,
drainage systems and foundations.'

'...the Environment Agency does not yet register Ailanthus as an
invasive species, but it is included in the top 25 alien invasive
plants by the European Plant Protection Organisation as posing 'an
important threat to plant health, environment and biodiversity'.'

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I live in rural West Dorset and haven't seen any... yet.

Thinking perhaps a website clocking the spread of them could be set up.

"Bill" wrote in message
s.com...
NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html

'...grows raipidly to heights of 80ft or more...'

'...amateur gardeners should be vigilant. Look out for sprouts and self
sown seedlings... remove them.'

'...Ailanthus leaks toxins into the ground which prevent the
germination and establishment of other species in its vicinity.'

'...is fiercly resistant to human intervention... responds to cutting
by throwing out underground suckers which can damage pavements,
drainage systems and foundations.'

'...the Environment Agency does not yet register Ailanthus as an
invasive species, but it is included in the top 25 alien invasive
plants by the European Plant Protection Organisation as posing 'an
important threat to plant health, environment and biodiversity'.'

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I have only ever seen one for certain and that was in the Irish Botanic
Gardens in Dublin.
It was a big handsome specimen tree that had leaves that looked like ash but
with crinkled bark.
The second time I saw one was the same tree in winter cobvered in Waxwings.
They can be hard to spot I think seeing as they look like native ash trees?

It is sad if this is true but please check this is not a practical joke
before killing any :-).

Des



I live in rural West Dorset and haven't seen any... yet.

Thinking perhaps a website clocking the spread of them could be set up.

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Bill" wrote in message
s.com...
NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html

'...grows raipidly to heights of 80ft or more...'

'...amateur gardeners should be vigilant. Look out for sprouts and self
sown seedlings... remove them.'

'...Ailanthus leaks toxins into the ground which prevent the
germination and establishment of other species in its vicinity.'

'...is fiercly resistant to human intervention... responds to cutting
by throwing out underground suckers which can damage pavements,
drainage systems and foundations.'

'...the Environment Agency does not yet register Ailanthus as an
invasive species, but it is included in the top 25 alien invasive
plants by the European Plant Protection Organisation as posing 'an
important threat to plant health, environment and biodiversity'.'

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I have only ever seen one for certain and that was in the Irish Botanic
Gardens in Dublin.
It was a big handsome specimen tree that had leaves that looked like ash
but with crinkled bark.
The second time I saw one was the same tree in winter cobvered in
Waxwings.
They can be hard to spot I think seeing as they look like native ash
trees?


ok just googled images and the resemblance to Ash is not so great but the
leaves are pinnate and ash-like. THere are indeed dozens and dozens of web
sites warning about it.


It is sad if this is true but please check this is not a practical joke
before killing any :-).

Des



I live in rural West Dorset and haven't seen any... yet.

Thinking perhaps a website clocking the spread of them could be set up.

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Bill" wrote in message
s.com...
NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html

'...grows raipidly to heights of 80ft or more...'

'...amateur gardeners should be vigilant. Look out for sprouts and self
sown seedlings... remove them.'

'...Ailanthus leaks toxins into the ground which prevent the
germination and establishment of other species in its vicinity.'

'...is fiercly resistant to human intervention... responds to cutting
by throwing out underground suckers which can damage pavements,
drainage systems and foundations.'

'...the Environment Agency does not yet register Ailanthus as an
invasive species, but it is included in the top 25 alien invasive
plants by the European Plant Protection Organisation as posing 'an
important threat to plant health, environment and biodiversity'.'

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I have only ever seen one for certain and that was in the Irish Botanic
Gardens in Dublin.
It was a big handsome specimen tree that had leaves that looked like ash
but with crinkled bark.
The second time I saw one was the same tree in winter cobvered in
Waxwings.
They can be hard to spot I think seeing as they look like native ash
trees?

It is sad if this is true but please check this is not a practical joke
before killing any :-).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_heaven

Not as scary as the press.

I don't like chinese imports though.

Bill wrote:
NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html



Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I live in rural West Dorset and haven't seen any... yet.

Thinking perhaps a website clocking the spread of them could be set
up.

This site has some information about distribution. It seems to be mainly
urban (because of its tolerance to pollution).
http://www.keele.ac.uk/university/ar...eeofheaven.htm

--

John

"Uncle Marvo" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

snip
Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I have only ever seen one for certain and that was in the Irish Botanic
Gardens in Dublin.
It was a big handsome specimen tree that had leaves that looked like ash
but with crinkled bark.
The second time I saw one was the same tree in winter cobvered in
Waxwings.
They can be hard to spot I think seeing as they look like native ash
trees?

It is sad if this is true but please check this is not a practical joke
before killing any :-).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_heaven

Not as scary as the press.

I don't like chinese imports though.

Inscrutable buggers these Ailanthus.

Des "in scruting mode"

"Bill" wrote in message
s.com...
NB: this is posted to uk.environment.conservation and uk.rec.gardening

"The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land"

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_ne...874333,00.html

'...grows raipidly to heights of 80ft or more...'

'...amateur gardeners should be vigilant. Look out for sprouts and self
sown seedlings... remove them.'

'...Ailanthus leaks toxins into the ground which prevent the
germination and establishment of other species in its vicinity.'

'...is fiercly resistant to human intervention... responds to cutting
by throwing out underground suckers which can damage pavements,
drainage systems and foundations.'

'...the Environment Agency does not yet register Ailanthus as an
invasive species, but it is included in the top 25 alien invasive
plants by the European Plant Protection Organisation as posing 'an
important threat to plant health, environment and biodiversity'.'

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Just read this article in the Observer and was wondering where abouts
in the country these trees are and if people have had any experience
with them.

I live in rural West Dorset and haven't seen any... yet.

Thinking perhaps a website clocking the spread of them could be set up.


Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking over'.

BAC wrote:

Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking over'.

But the climate has heated up at an accelerated rate and now it might
be more sympathetic to this trees native conditions.

"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...

BAC wrote:

Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking over'.

But the climate has heated up at an accelerated rate and now it might
be more sympathetic to this trees native conditions.


It may indeed, but that doesn't mean it will inevitably become a problem
here.

BAC wrote:
"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...

BAC wrote:

Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking over'.

But the climate has heated up at an accelerated rate and now it might
be more sympathetic to this trees native conditions.


It may indeed, but that doesn't mean it will inevitably become a problem
here.

Good point.

(I probably got sucked into the Observer's screaming article title...
next time i'll buy the Mail on Sunday)


Among other things, it said in the article that...

i) it is often found near railway lines
ii) that by cutting back at the tree it sprouts off and throws out
underground suckers

Not sure if the methods they use in vegetation control around railways
(slash, slash some more, slash again) would help stop the second
point's phenomena.

"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...

BAC wrote:
"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...

BAC wrote:

Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking
over'.

But the climate has heated up at an accelerated rate and now it might
be more sympathetic to this trees native conditions.


It may indeed, but that doesn't mean it will inevitably become a problem
here.

Good point.

(I probably got sucked into the Observer's screaming article title...
next time i'll buy the Mail on Sunday)


Among other things, it said in the article that...

i) it is often found near railway lines
ii) that by cutting back at the tree it sprouts off and throws out
underground suckers

Not sure if the methods they use in vegetation control around railways
(slash, slash some more, slash again) would help stop the second
point's phenomena.


Well, something kills them - I've managed to 'lose' a couple in my garden. I
must be the world's worst gardener, if I can't even grow an invasive alien
:-)

On 19 Sep 2006 09:55:36 -0700, "Bill" wrote:


BAC wrote:
"Bill" wrote in message
oups.com...

BAC wrote:

Don't panic, it's been here for 250 years or so without 'taking over'.

But the climate has heated up at an accelerated rate and now it might
be more sympathetic to this trees native conditions.


It may indeed, but that doesn't mean it will inevitably become a problem
here.

Good point.

(I probably got sucked into the Observer's screaming article title...
next time i'll buy the Mail on Sunday)


No doubt happily spread by CONservation hooligans, trying to hold back
the tide of evolution.

Among other things, it said in the article that...

i) it is often found near railway lines
ii) that by cutting back at the tree it sprouts off and throws out
underground suckers

Not sure if the methods they use in vegetation control around railways
(slash, slash some more, slash again) would help stop the second
point's phenomena.

Climate change will probably mean we lose our native species anyway,
and this is just evolution in progress.

As no one seems to be that bothered about changing their wasteful
lives, I doubt we can stop the changes.

In reply to Geoff ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

As no one seems to be that bothered about changing their wasteful
lives, I doubt we can stop the changes.

Even if one of us does something, like recycling the many wifebeater/red
bull cans, we will make a difference, however small.

While companies like Exxon are denying (R4 this morning) that CO2 levels are
the cause of global warming, the difference we make will be smaller than
we'd like, though.

I vote for burning Pres. Bush for starters, but then I'm a bit radical like
that.

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:13:19 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
wrote:

In reply to Geoff ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

As no one seems to be that bothered about changing their wasteful
lives, I doubt we can stop the changes.

Even if one of us does something, like recycling the many wifebeater/red
bull cans, we will make a difference, however small.

It's not enough.

We need governments to TELL us what to do, and then to force us to
comply.

While companies like Exxon are denying (R4 this morning) that CO2 levels are
the cause of global warming, the difference we make will be smaller than
we'd like, though.

I vote for burning Pres. Bush for starters, but then I'm a bit radical like
that.

Without the likes of Bush, the world would be a sadder place.

Perhaps you'd like to stand in his shoes?

In reply to Geoff ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:13:19 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
wrote:

In reply to Geoff ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

As no one seems to be that bothered about changing their wasteful
lives, I doubt we can stop the changes.

Even if one of us does something, like recycling the many
wifebeater/red bull cans, we will make a difference, however small.

It's not enough.

We need governments to TELL us what to do, and then to force us to
comply.

While companies like Exxon are denying (R4 this morning) that CO2
levels are the cause of global warming, the difference we make will
be smaller than we'd like, though.

I vote for burning Pres. Bush for starters, but then I'm a bit
radical like that.

Without the likes of Bush, the world would be a sadder place.

Perhaps you'd like to stand in his shoes?

Er, you /are/ joking, right?