American citizen., 1879-04-19
The Ailanthns as Timber.

The american Agrtculturist, in an ar
ticle on that much abused tree, the all
anthus, gives the following informa-
ton in regard to its great value as tim
Der, taken from a paper on the subject
by Prof. G. S. Sargent. In experiments
made in the French dockyard at Tou-
lon, where the wood of this tree was
tested as to its tenacity, or ability TO re-
sist a strain, in comparison with the
timber of European elm and oak, an
average of seven trials showed that the
ailanthus broke with a weight of ~, 1856
pounds, while the elm in a similar num-
ber of trials yielded to 5i,7O7 pounds,
and the oak, in the average of ten spe-
cimens, broke under a weight of 43,434
pounds. Evidence as to the value of
ailanthus timber in exposed situations
and as to its durability when set in the
ground is yet meager, but the little that
we have is favorable. OF its value for
interior work and for cabinetmaking
there can be no doubt, the wood possess
ing properties remarkable in SO rapid
growing tree. The wood is at first of
a pale straw color, but grows somewhat
darker with age, and takes high
polish.
When cut to show the silver grain it
presents a satiny luster that is very
pleasing, and as regards freedom from
warping and shrinking it is superior to
walnut and fully equal to mahogany. 1t
is said to cut up economically, seasons
readily, is easily worked, is free from
unpleasant odor, and has no ill effects
on the tools. For the treads of stairs,
the floors of offices, mills, and other
buildings, where cons tant use requires a
hard, strong wood, it is probably su-
perior to any of the woods commonly
employed in such situations. There is
one use for which its freedom from ten
dency to shrink will especially, con-
mend it. e., interior finishiDgs. Its
warm color will make it very effective,
when used with both lighter and darker
woods. 1t is a fashion now, more than
formerly, to use wainscoatings in
houses. The ease with which ailanthus
timber may be produced will allow
those who live where other woods are
not obtainable, to adopt this style of in
terror finish.
The tree grows very rapidly when
young, but later its increase in diameter
is slow. One of the Oldest, if not the
oldest, in the country, now 60 years old,
has girth of feet inches. Accord
ing to observations it appears that the
ailanthus grows about as rapidly in a
poor soil as in rich onc-a matter of
considerable Importance to tree-plant-
ers. 1t will even grow in blowing sands
and on the sea coast, localities where
few trees can live. In addition to its
usefulness as timber its wood has a high
er value as fuel than most of those in
general use for burning. The tree is
very easily propagated, and, indeed, in
cultivated grounds, where for the most
part it would be out of place, it propa-
gates from seeds most too easily; the
seeds, having a broad wing, are carried
to a distance by the wind, and the young
plants come up in all sorts of unwel-
come places. The northern limit at
which the ailanthus will prove hardy is
not settled, but Prof. Sargent thinks
that line from Boston to St. Louis will
about indicate its northern boundary
He, no doubt, intended to say isothermal
line, as the tree is known to be hardy
as far north rs Michigan.-Scienttft
american.