Biological and Ecological Characteristics of Ailanthus Altissima (Mill)

In a lot of western countries Ailanthus Altissima is considered an invasive tree species. Ailanthus has gained this reputation due to its rapid growth and ability to crowd out native trees. It produces a large amount of seeds and these seeds spread easily and develop deep, strong root system after germination. This type of root system makes it difficult to remove the plant during mechanical control methods. Ailanthus is also known for its abilty to produce special allelopathic substances. They slow down the growth rate of other tree species and make the minerals less accessible for them. This species is common in most urban places. They can be found on roadsides, near walls, old buildings, gardens and its roots can damage paving, walls and other infrastructure. Numerous studies have investigated its biology, dispersal mechanisms, control methods including mechanical, chemical and biological. The purpose of this article is to provide overview of some of the studies summarising resear methods, laboratory analyses, field trials highlighting key findings regarding growth patterns, environmental impacts and control effectiveness. This review highlights the ecological, infrastructural, and other challenges associated with Ailanthus as well as ongoing research aimed at reducing its spread and understanding its behaviour under different environmental conditions.