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Sprouts & Seedlings

Tree of heaven

Ailanthus altissima

Also called: ailanthus

Invasive tree that spreads by root suckers and seed and hosts spotted lanternfly. Do not transplant.

Tree of heaven: Whole plant
Whole plantPhoto: Ogonslav Firewind · CC0 · source
Tree of heaven: Whole plant
Whole plantPhoto: Matthew Gerke · CC BY · source
Tree of heaven: Fruit or seed
Fruit or seedPhoto: Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Tree of heaven: Habitat
HabitatPhoto: Stefan.lefnaer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Key features

  • Long compound leaves with 10-41 leaflets, each with one or two coarse glandular teeth near the base
  • Crushed leaves and bark smell like rancid peanut butter
  • Smooth gray bark with faint light stripes
  • Winged seed clusters and large heart-shaped leaf scars

What it gets mistaken for

  • Black walnutHarmless

    Leaflets toothed all along, chambered pith, resinous smell.

    See the card →
  • SumacHarmless

    Fuzzy twigs, serrated leaflets, red cones.

    See the card →

Warnings

  • Do not plant, compost roots or move soil with roots. Ask your extension office about control.

Best time to move

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Identify in leaf.

Habitat

Disturbed ground, roadsides, fencerows, urban edges.

Educational reference only. Never eat a wild plant or mushroom based on a website or app. Confirm with an experienced forager, your local extension office, or a mycological club. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for severe symptoms.