• Skip to main content
Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Logo
  • Our Priorities
    • Clean and Abundant Water
    • Healthy Soil
    • Food & Farms
    • Thriving Habitat
    • Invasive Species Management
    • Resilient Forests
  • Our Programs
    • Rural Conservation
    • Urban Conservation
    • Forest Conservation
    • Habitat Conservation
    • Invasive Species
    • Conservation Education
    • Grants & Funding
  • Get Involved
  • Stay Informed
  • Subscribe
  • Our Story
  • Search
Home / Weed & Pest Directory / Species / Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

SWCD Branded Separator
Tree of heaven. Photo Credit: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org
  • Tree of heaven
    Tree of heaven. Photo Credit: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org
  • Tree of heaven leaves
  • Tree of heaven flowers
    Tree of heaven flowers. Photo Credit: Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
  • Tree of heaven leaves and seeds
    Tree of heaven leaves and seeds. Photo Credit: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
  • Tree of heaven seeds
    Tree of heaven seeds. Photo Credit: Annemarie Smith, ODNR Division of Forestry, Bugwood.org
  • Tree of heaven seeds.
    Tree of heaven seeds. Photo Credit: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Also known as: Tree-of-heaven, stinking quassia, copal-tree

Tree of heaven is not very heavenly, especially in urban landscapes. Its root system can push up pavement and sidewalks in its unquenched search for resources. It also produces a foul odor, reminiscent of rancid peanut butter.

Description:

Life Cycle:Perennial (life cycle lasts more than one year)
Early Detection and Rapid Response species:Yes
Height:Can grow up to 25 – 50 feet (7 – 15 meters)
Leaf Description:The leaves are compoundA leaf consisting of several distinct leaflets joined to a single stem. and grow alternately along the stem. Each leaf is made up of many lance-shaped leaflets that grow opposite one another. Sometimes a leaf can have up to 40 leaflets.
Fruit & Flower Description:Each tree has either male or female flowers. Each flower is small, light green to yellow and grow in clusters. Seeds are wrapped in a slightly twisted paper wing that allow it to be blown away from the tree.
Bloom Time:May to June

Habitat:

  • Tree of heaven grows in many habitat types including forest edges, riparian areasAreas that are directly adjacent to flowing streams, creeks, or rivers., yards, urban parks, and roadsides.
  • It is a hardy species that prefers sunny conditions and can grow in areas with poor soils.

Impact:

  • Tree of heaven is a fast-growing tree that forms large thickets that can result in a monocultureGrowing a single crop or plant..
  • It sprouts root suckers that can push up pavement and sidewalks, creating problems for homeowners and urban landscapes.
  • It produces toxins that inhibit neighboring plants from growing.
  • Tree of heaven is noted as being the preferred host for the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a non-native insect that could damage agriculture crops such as grapes, apples, and pears if it were to establish here.   

What you can do about it:

  • If you think you’ve found tree of heaven, please make an observation on iNaturalist.
  • It is very difficult to treat large trees of heaven, it’s best to consult a weed treatment professional when trying to treat this species.
  • Weed wrenches can assist with removing smaller trees of heaven. If you are in Washington County, we lend these tools for free from our tool library.
  • Make sure to wear gloves when removing tree of heaven, as it can leave your hands smelling bad even after a few good washes.

Look-alikes:

Red Elderberry Leaves
Red elderberry leaves.

Young tree of heaven is often confused with the native red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa). Both species have similarly shaped leaflets, but red elderberry produces small clusters of bright red berries and only grows up to 12 feet (4 meters) tall.

Tree of heaven also looks like the invasive black walnut (Juglans nigra). While both species have grey-black bark and several leaflets, black walnut’s leaflets have serratedHaving a jagged edge. edges.


Noxious Weed Listing:

State of Oregon:Class B
State of Washington:Class C

More Resources:

Download the Tree of Heaven Best Management Practices Factsheet

Download Factsheet
  • University of California, Weed Research and Information Center: Tree of Heaven

« Drooping Sedge (Carex pendula)
Giant Reed (Arundo donax) »

Posted In:

CommonPlant
SWCD Branded Separator

Share:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email
Subscribe News Icon

Email me about caring for the soil and water!

Get Involved Icon

Find an Event

Calendar of Events
Upcoming Workshops

reflection in a lake

About Us

  • Our Story
  • Our Watershed
  • Our Staff
  • Our Board
  • Careers
  • Reports & Publications

Resources

  • Event Calendar
  • Weed & Pest Directory
  • Contractor Directory
  • Library & Videos
  • Tool Loan Program
  • News

Contact Us

Tualatin Soil and Water
Conservation District
7175 NE Evergreen Pkwy #400
Hillsboro, OR. 97124

Phone: 503-334-2288
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Email Us

Follow Us

العربية العربية 简体中文 简体中文 繁體中文 繁體中文 English English Filipino Filipino Français Français Deutsch Deutsch हिन्दी हिन्दी 한국어 한국어 Русский Русский Español Español Tiếng Việt Tiếng Việt

© 2022 Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District. All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap | Non-Discrimination Policy | Privacy Policy | Website Design by Hoopla Creative