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Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Tree of heaven, ailanthus, Chinese sumac, paradise-tree, copal tree, stinking sumac, varnish tree

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassRosidaeRoses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
OrderSapindalesIncludes citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem
FamilySimaroubaceaeA small mostly tropical family including Quassia, Simarouba, and Ailanthus
GenusAilanthusFrom a Moluccan name ailanto meaning “sky tree”
SpeciesaltissimaVery tall, tallest

About plant names...

This Chinese native plant was introduced to Philadelpha, PA in 1784. It was extensively planted during the 1800s, establishing it widely through much of North America. It prefers moist, loamy soils, but tolerates a wide range of conditions, with the exception of flooding. It is so tolerant that it is used even to reclaim strip mined soils. The moniker “tree of heaven” is a bit ironic, considering that the name refers to its height, which is rather average for trees. And it is so robust in so many habitats that it is frequently considered one of the worst invasive species in Europe and North America. It secretes a toxin that poisons other plants. “Tree of hell” might be more apt. If you’re thinking of planting one on purpose, please don’t.

Plants: This deciduous tree lives fast and furious, growing rapidly to heights of 56-89′ (17-27 m), rarely living more than 50 years. It produces suckers that creates clones, though, so it propagates quickly. Bark is smooth and light gray, with a texture a bit like a cantaloupe. Leaf scars on branches are heart-shaped. Twigs have a light brown pithy interior, similar in texture to styrofoam. Wood is weak, breaking easily in storms.

Leaves: Alternate, even pinnate or odd pinnate, 12-35″ (30-90 cm) long, with 10-41 leaflets. The rachis, or stem between the leaflets, is light green to reddish. Leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, with minutely toothed edges. The leaves smell bad when crushed.

Flowers: Panicles up to 1½′ (50 cm) are dotted with small yellowish-green to reddish flowers. Male and female flowers appear on different trees, making this species dioecious. Flowers appear from May to July.

Fruits: Samaras, gold or reddish colored twisted wings, each containing a seed, are oblanceolate in shape. Samaras occur in dense clusters, with each one 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) long and about ¼-½″ (6.3-12 mm) wide. They persist through winter. A single female tree can produce 300,000 seeds annually, and the wings help to propel them far and wide.

Medical: Although used as an astringent in traditional Chinese medicine, tree of heaven can be toxic to domestic animals and cause allergic reactions for some people.

Online References:

Www.srs.fs.usda.gov

Wikipedia

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Extension.psu.edu

Www.nature.org

Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.

Toxicodendron altissimum Mill.

 

Ailanthus altissima description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 May 2023.

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Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven, ailanthus, Chinese sumac, paradise-tree, copal tree, stinking sumac, varnish tree)

7/23/2010 · Nashua River Boat Ramp on Rte 119, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm)

Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven, ailanthus, Chinese sumac, paradise-tree, copal tree, stinking sumac, varnish tree)

7/3/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven, ailanthus, Chinese sumac, paradise-tree, copal tree, stinking sumac, varnish tree)

7/2/2010 · Stansbury Mill Rd, Phoenix, Mary­land

Range: Zones 4a-8a:

About this map...