tree-of-heaven: Ailanthus altissima (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae)

tree-of-heaven	USDA PLANTS Symbol: AIAL U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Tree
Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle
Synonym(s): tree of heaven, ailanthus, copal tree, stinking shumac, varnish tree, Chinese sumac, paradise-tree
Tree of heaven is a rapidly growing, typically small tree up to 80 ft. (24.4 m) in height and 6 ft. (1.8 m) in diameter. It has pinnately compound leaves that are 1-4 ft. (0.3-1.2 m) in length with 10-41 leaflets. Flowering occurs in early summer, when large clusters of yellow flowers develop above the leaves. Fruit produced on female plants are tan to reddish, single winged and wind and water-dispersed. Tree of heaven resembles the sumacs and hickories, but is easily distinguished by the glandular, notched base on each leaflet and large leaf scars on the twigs. It is extremely tolerant of poor soil conditions and can even grow in cement cracks. Trees are not shade tolerant, but thrive in disturbed forests or edges. Dense clonal thickets displace native species and can rapidly take over fields, meadows and harvested forests. Tree of heaven, native to Asia, was first introduced into North America in 1748 by a Pennsylvania gardener. It was widely planted in cities because of its ability to grow in poor conditions.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Fact Sheet - Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Feature(s); Glandular notch at the base of the leaflets. Martin County, KY Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Distinctive glands on ears at leaflet bases. James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); leaf scar and bud Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Bark; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); Staminate inflorescence Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); leaf gland in September James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); in September James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Infestation along roadside Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Sapling(s); Growing in recently cut-over area. Polk County, IA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seedling(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); Trees growing along Interstate Highway 75 in Forsyth, Georgia Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); August James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Tree(s); Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Tree(s); Ian Trueman, University of Wolverhampton, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Nancy Fraley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 446. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

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