Paradise Tree - Simarouba or Ailanthus?

[SA-Motors]

I got his piece many years ago and written on it in my handwriting is the name Paradise Tree Simarouba Glauca. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got it. It looks more like Ailanthus Altissima to me, which I think may also be called Paradise Tree. Can anyone offer their insight on the piece I have - to help me identify its species?

 

[SA-Motors]

 

[daniscool]

Density? Ailanthus altissima is extremely light. If this isn't that would be ruled out.

 

[Big Ry]

If there's a chance that it's Ailanthus altissima, I should still have some Ailanthus from Paul's collection for comparison. I'm not sure if it's the same species, as Paul's was only labeled "Ailanthus". Perhaps @Mr. Peet could speak to that, though I suspect Mark has IWCS samples of this anyway lol

 

[Mr. Peet]

I do not have any Simarouba glauca just a piece of Simarouba amara. And wood wise, your wood looks nothing like the sample I have. My Simarouba amara is very soft (between balsa and basswood) and light white wood with a bamboo like grain pattern. Wiki has 'glauca' and 'amara' being very similar in all traits. So, looking like 'Ailanthus'.

Paul's site

ailanthus

simaruba

If there's a chance that it's Ailanthus altissima, I should still have some Ailanthus from Paul's collection for comparison. I'm not sure if it's the same species, as Paul's was only labeled "Ailanthus". Perhaps @Mr. Peet could speak to that, though I suspect Mark has IWCS samples of this anyway lol

I would assume that everything Paul had was Ailanthus altissima, being any of the other species of Ailanthus are not as cold hardy and are not prolific.

Density? Ailanthus altissima is extremely light. If this isn't that would be ruled out.

Not sure why you say that as Ailanthus altissima is very similar to many of the lighter density ash tree species.

 

[Big Ry]

@SA-Motors perhaps you got "paradise tree" mixed up with "tree of heaven"

 

[SA-Motors]

Hi @Mr. Peet Thanks for weighing in. I am going to relabel my piece as Ailanthus Altissima. The endgain pic on Wood Database also looks like my end-grain. https://www.wood-database.com/wp-content/uploads/ailanthus-altissima4-400x600.jpg

Thanks everyone.

 

[daniscool]

Not sure why you say that as Ailanthus altissima is very similar to many of the lighter density ash tree species.

Interesting. I have only cut very young ones. The trees round here are weeds. I get to cut anything I can/want but often the arborists are faster. Maybe older trees are denser.

 

[Cloud of Sawdust Farms]

I got his piece many years ago and written on it in my handwriting is the name Paradise Tree Simarouba Glauca. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got it. It looks more like Ailanthus Altissima to me, which I think may also be called Paradise Tree. Can anyone offer their insight on the piece I have - to help me identify its species?

View attachment 294745View attachment 294746View attachment 294747View attachment 294748View attachment 294749View attachment 294750View attachment 294751View attachment 294752

Here are some snapshots of the living Ailanthus altissima that's growing right outside my academic building (much to the annoyance of our tree specialist). They show both younger and older stems. I think your sample's bark is a pretty good match for the oldest trunk.