Wildclickers #74 - The "Tree from Hell??"

"The Tree from Hell??"
The "Tree of Heaven" is a popular ornamental tree in China, valued for its tolerance of difficult growing conditions, and its uses in Chinese traditional medicine. The leaves are also used to feed silkworms which produces silk that is stronger and cheaper than mulberry silk, although with inferior gloss and texture. It was first introduced to Europe (France and England) by a French Jesuit priest returning from Nanking in 1751, and the United States by William Hamilton, a gardener in Philadelphia in 1784. Tree of Heaven has become a problematic invasive species in many areas with warm temperate climates. Because of its aggressive spread, vigorous growth, allergenic and allelopathic chemicals, it has become a problem in many areas, out-competing native species. It is also sometimes counter-nicknamed "Tree from Hell", from its prolific invasiveness. In cities, it often bears the name "Ghetto Palm", because of its propensity for growing in urban areas, on abandoned or poorly maintained properties. The Chinese name for this tree contains the descriptive word "stinky".

Not all trees are this problematic, thank goodness. The trees living in the Rainforests of our planet are good and help us in many ways.
This is the SEVENTY-FOURTH thread we have begun and are very close to saving SIXTY ACRES of Rainforest around the world.
Please join us in daily clicking for the Rainforest (and other worthy causes), and become a part of our cordial group on this Rainforest thread. We are the aktbird57 team in Race for the Rainforest, and we are the number ONE team in the world!

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Just click: http://rainforest.care2.com/welcome?w=856730509

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After clicking, feel free to post on this thread. We have the most wonderful and helpful group of people clicking here. Any time you can't click, we can arrange for a substitute to click for you.