photo: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
 Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org |
 Cleveland Metroparks |
Form:
Deciduous tree, 40 to 100 feet tall, wide variety of moisture and light conditions.
Leaves:
Alternate, compound, 1 to 4 feet long, 11 to 25 lance-shaped leaflets, margins entire except for 1 to several glandular teeth near base; emitting foul odor when crushed.
Flowers:
Late spring, less than 0.5 inches wide, 5 to 6 yellow-green petals, insignificant.
Fruits & Seeds:
Late summer; green, eventually turning pink to tan, papery two-winged samaras, in clusters.
Roots:
Clonal spread from rhizomes, aggressive.
Similar Species:
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
Tier 2 - Assess as Needed
The size and extent of these species populations are currently being inventoried with limited geographic information available. This survey will assist with identifying future control targets as populations are defined.
Action: The inventory of these plants is ongoing. The approximate number of plants should be recorded keeping in mind population sizes may be highly variable.
