This study aim to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of Ailanthus altissima as a common tree in northern hemisphere in removal of water nitrate and phosphate. To achieve the goals 48 tree sapling of the species were planted in polyethylene channels with five percent slope at the end of winter (in March). Each channel contained five sapling and polluted with 5, 10, 50 mg/l concentration of the pollutants in the irrigation water. Each of the treatments had three replication and compared with simple soil without any sapling as the control. The amounts of nitrate and phosphate removal were measured and analyzed. The results show that nitrate removal during first week of the experiment was the most. The nitrate removal for 5, 10 and 50 mg/L concentration are 74.53, 75.23 and 79.95 percent respectively and likewise 74.16, 77.18, and 82.81 percent respectively for phosphate. Therefore, it can be concluded that with respect to high nitrate and phosphate removal potential of this species, it is highly suggested to be planted in riparian zones of the tributaries and watercourses where non-point pollutants are get into to the water resources.
