Common Invasive Plants | Tree of Heaven
Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Tree of Heaven is a deciduous tree that can reach up to 100’ in height. It is found along right-of-ways, roadsides, and woodland edges, establishing quickly to colonize disturbed and neglected areas. Tree-of-heaven tolerates very poor soils and can even grow in cracked pavement and building foundations. It is allelopathic - chemicals in leaves, roots, and bark limit or prevent the establishment of other plants. Aggressive root suckers also extend the spread as far as 50’ from the parent tree, creating dense colonies of established trees. Tree of Heaven is a host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly, an extremely harmful pest that attacks many trees. Spotted Lanternfly is especially damaging to grapevines and fruit crops.
How to Identify Tree of Heaven
It is important to correctly identify the tree of heaven. On first glance, it appears similar to some native trees and shrubs that also have leaves arranged in pairs along a plant’s stem (staghorn sumac, hickory and black walnut). Tree of Heaven is distinguished by a notch at the base of each leaf, fuzzy, reddish-brown twigs, and clusters of light green seed pods. If all else fails, there is the unmistakably strong, offensive smell to its flowers, leaves and stems when crushed, resembling burnt peanut butter.
How to Control
Due to its extensive root system and the ability to aggressively sucker and re-sprout, eradication of tree-of-heaven is extremely difficult. The correct timing of the treatment, and follow-up maintenance during subsequent years, are critical to eradication success.
According to the Penn State Extension, cutting alone will not reduce tree of heaven’s ability to spread, in fact, it could make it worse. Pulling Tree of Heaven can also activate the root system, causing it to send up more shoots to create new trees. The best method is to target the roots with a systemic herbicide applied mid-to-late summer until onset of fall color when the tree is moving carbohydrates to the roots. Herbicides can be applied to foliage, bark, or cuts on the stem, also known as hack and squirt. However, cut stump herbicide applications do not prevent root suckering and should not be utilized. Herbicide applications made outside this late growing season window will only injure above ground growth. As always, employing the help of a professional licensed pesticide applicator is recommended.
Reference
Tree of Heaven is a deciduous tree that can reach up to 100’ in height. It is found along right-of-ways, roadsides, and woodland edges, establishing quickly to colonize disturbed and neglected areas. Tree-of-heaven tolerates very poor soils and can even grow in cracked pavement and building foundations. It is allelopathic - chemicals in leaves, roots, and bark limit or prevent the establishment of other plants. Aggressive root suckers also extend the spread as far as 50’ from the parent tree, creating dense colonies of established trees. Tree of Heaven is a host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly, an extremely harmful pest that attacks many trees. Spotted Lanternfly is especially damaging to grapevines and fruit crops.
How to Identify Tree of Heaven
It is important to correctly identify the tree of heaven. On first glance, it appears similar to some native trees and shrubs that also have leaves arranged in pairs along a plant’s stem (staghorn sumac, hickory and black walnut). Tree of Heaven is distinguished by a notch at the base of each leaf, fuzzy, reddish-brown twigs, and clusters of light green seed pods. If all else fails, there is the unmistakably strong, offensive smell to its flowers, leaves and stems when crushed, resembling burnt peanut butter.
How to Control
Due to its extensive root system and the ability to aggressively sucker and re-sprout, eradication of tree-of-heaven is extremely difficult. The correct timing of the treatment, and follow-up maintenance during subsequent years, are critical to eradication success.
According to the Penn State Extension, cutting alone will not reduce tree of heaven’s ability to spread, in fact, it could make it worse. Pulling Tree of Heaven can also activate the root system, causing it to send up more shoots to create new trees. The best method is to target the roots with a systemic herbicide applied mid-to-late summer until onset of fall color when the tree is moving carbohydrates to the roots. Herbicides can be applied to foliage, bark, or cuts on the stem, also known as hack and squirt. However, cut stump herbicide applications do not prevent root suckering and should not be utilized. Herbicide applications made outside this late growing season window will only injure above ground growth. As always, employing the help of a professional licensed pesticide applicator is recommended.
Reference
