TREE OF HEAVEN, CHINESE SUMAC, STINK SUMAC (Ailanthus altissima)
Description
11 to 25 spear-shaped leaflets per leaf.
Small lobes at leaflet base a key identifier, each lobe having a small hard bump (gland). Leaflet edge smooth.
Crushed leaves, broken twigs, and cut bark have acrid burnt peanut butter odor.
Yellow-green flowers cluster at end of limbs in July, turn to gray seed clusters in winter.
Origin--Central China
Distribution
Scattered throughout region at low to mid-elevations.
Most common in towns, along roads, railroads, powerlines, and vacant lots.
Some major areas still devoid of species.
Threat
Grows thickly, excluding native species.
Roots exude chemicals that push out native plants.
Infests closed woodlands but most common along open areas and forest edges.
Control
Hand pull freshly germinating seedlings, removing entire root.
Cut down and immediately spray stump with 25% ai glyphosate in water base in Sept; girdle-inject with 25% ai glyphosate in water base in Sept; basal paint bark with 25% ai glyphosate in oil base in Sept..
Similar Plants
Sumac (smooth, staghorn, shining/winged), but sumac has milky sap; black walnut, but crushed walnut leaves have walnut odor, not the acrid tree of heaven odor.
Links to sites with additional information on Tree of Heaven
