Tree-of-Heaven
Tree-of-Heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Simaroubaceae (Quassia Family)
▲ ▼ seedlings
▲ ▼ seedlings
▲ leaves showing glandular "bumps" at base of leaflets
▲ mature tree
▲ tree bark
Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus: (not in Weeds of the Great Plains; pp. 346-347, Weeds of the Northeast)
- medium to large, fast-growing tree with pinnately compound, shiny-green leaves, similar to sumacs; however, grow much larger and faster than sumacs; sumacs also are colony forming and have red-orange fall color
- leaves differ from sumac by unpleasant odor and small bumps/glands at the base of leaflets on the base of tree-of-heaven leaves
- wood is weak and prone to decay; tends to be a short-lived tree
- often found in urban areas, growing up through cracks in pavement, against buildings
- is dioecious, with separate male & female plants; male flowers often with bad odor
- undesirable due to weak growth and invasive nature