introduced perennial tree, reproducing by seed and root suckers. [28] Ailanthus has also been introduced to Argentina,[23] Australia (where it is a declared weed in New South Wales and Victoria),[31] New Zealand (where it is listed under the National Pest Plant Accord and is classed an "unwanted organism"),[32] the Middle East and in some countries in South Asia such as Pakistan. Common Name(s): Ailanthus; Chinese sumac; Copal Tree; Paradise-tree; Stinking shumac; Tree of Heaven; Tree-of-Heaven; Varnish tree [23] The roots are poisonous to people. 7-13 cm; lamina ca. It is drought-hardy, but not tolerant of flooding. For example, the city of Basel in Switzerland has an eradication program for the tree. Techniques have been developed for drying the wood so as to prevent this cracking, allowing it to be commercially harvested. [1] It is also unable to take dye. [11] The rachis is light to reddish-green with a swollen base. [5] It is considered a noxious weed and vigorous invasive species,[1] and one of the worst invasive plant species in Europe and North America. This fast growing tree can reach 80 feet in its relatively short life (50 years). After stopping and taking photos of this unknown (to me) plant, I was able to identify it as Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). He decided to transfer Miller's older specific name into the genus of Desfontaines, resulting in the accepted name Ailanthus altissima. Zone 0 covers the harshest areas in Canada for plant species. TOAL4: Toxicodendron altissimum Mill. [7] The bark is smooth and light grey, often becoming somewhat rougher with light tan fissures as the tree ages. [8], In Chinese literature, ailanthus is often used for two rather extreme metaphors, with a mature tree representing a father and a stump being a spoiled child. Populations without prior exposure to the chemicals are most susceptible to them. Tree of heaven Tree-of-heaven, commonly referred to as Ailanthus altissima, is a rapidly growing deciduous tree native to a region extending from northern and central China, Taiwan and northern Korea to Australia. This small, very colorful moth resembles a true bug or beetle when not in flight, but in flight it resembles a wasp. Within the oldest extant Chinese dictionary, the Erya, written in the 3rd century BC, the tree of heaven is mentioned second among a list of trees. It grows in boarded up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. Scientific Name; AIGL: Ailanthus glandulosa Desf. In both Europe and America it quickly became a favoured ornamental, especially as a street tree, and by 1840 it was available in most nurseries. A fast growing deciduous tree from China can grow 20m or more. Ailanthus altissima Common name(s): Tree-of-Heaven The Tree-of-Heaven is native to northern China where it has a rich history dating back hundreds of years. [37][38] It is classified as a noxious or invasive plant on National Forest System lands and in many states[39] because its prolific seed production, high germination rates and capacity to regrow from roots and root fragments enable A. altissima[40] to out-compete native species. [36] It sometimes enters undisturbed areas as well and competes with native plants. Synonyms: Toxicodendron altissimum Mill.;A. Ailanthus altissima Other common names: Chinese Sumac, Tree of Heaven Other scientific names: Ailanthus glandulosus, Ailanthus peregrina, Toxicodendron altissimum The website also provides access to a database and images of plants photos and herbarium specimens found at … It can withstand cement dust and fumes from coal tar operations, as well as resist ozone exposure relatively well. All parts of the plant have a distinguishing strong odor that is often likened to peanuts, cashews,[9] or rotting cashews.[10]. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database. NameThatPlant.net currently features 3816 plants and 23,855 images. Click on images of Tree of Heaven to enlarge. Botanical name: Ailanthus altissima Family: Simaroubaceae. southeastern Central Europe around the Danube river basin from Austria, Slovakia and Hungary south to the Balkan ranges) and most countries of the Mediterranean Basin. [47] Another experiment showed a water extract of the chemical was either lethal or highly damaging to 11 North American hardwoods and 34 conifers, with the white ash (Fraxinus americana) being the only plant not adversely affected. [19] It has been introduced in many regions across the world. [16] Michael Dirr, a noted American horticulturalist and professor at the University of Georgia, reported meeting, in 1982, a grower who could not find any buyers. Its production is particularly well known in the Yantai region of that province. [20], In North America, the leaves of ailanthus are sometimes attacked by Aculops ailanthii, a mite in the family Eriophyidae. The Alabama Plant Atlas is a source of data for the distribution of plants within the state as well as taxonomic, conservation, invasive, and wetland information for each species. Studies found that Californian trees grew faster than their East Coast counterparts, and American trees in general grew faster than Chinese ones. [68][69], Until March 26, 2008, a 60-foot (18 m)-tall member of the species was a prominent "centerpiece" of the sculpture garden at the Noguchi Museum in the Astoria section in the borough of Queens in New York City. By 2008, the old tree was found to be dying and in danger of crashing into the building, which was about to undergo a major renovation. The roots, leaves and bark are used in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily as an astringent. Tree-of-Heaven, foliage - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Resource Management. It is extremely fast-growing and it will grow almost anywhere. For this reason, control measures on public lands[41] and private property[42] are advised where A. altissima has naturalized. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. Leaves large, 30-40 cm or more long. Light was shed on the taxonomic status of ailanthus in 1788 when René Louiche Desfontaines observed the samaras of the Paris specimens, which were still labelled Rhus succedanea, and came to the conclusion that the plant was not a sumac. Silver Queen). Native Introduced Native and Introduced. Leaves infested by the mite begin to curl and become glossy, reducing their ability to function. For example, one study in Germany found the tree of heaven growing in 92% of densely populated areas of Berlin, 25% of its suburbs and only 3% of areas outside the city altogether. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) All Images Enlarge Image. Ailanthus altissima /eɪˈlænθəs ælˈtɪsɪmə/,[3] commonly known as tree of heaven, ailanthus, varnish tree, or in Chinese as chouchun (Chinese: 臭椿; pinyin: chòuchūn; lit. takanai. The plant is sometimes incorrectly cited with the specific epithet in the masculine (glandulosus or altissimus), which is incorrect since botanical, like Classical Latin, treats most tree names as feminine. It is also rare in Ireland. [8] It is also considered a good source of firewood across much of its range as it is moderately hard and heavy, yet readily available. Swingle Tree of Heaven. The tree had been spared by the sculptor Isamu Noguchi when in 1975 he bought the building which would become the museum and cleaned up its back lot. [20], In 1784, not long after Jussieu had sent seeds to England, some were forwarded to the United States by William Hamilton, a gardener in Philadelphia. The flowers are small, yello… [8] These are virtually found anywhere in the U.S., but especially in arid regions bordering the Great Plains, very wet regions in the southern Appalachians, cold areas of the lower Rocky Mountains and throughout much of the California Central Valley, forming dense thickets that displace native plants. The same study tested the extract as an herbicide on garden cress, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), yellow bristlegrass (Setaria pumila), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli), pea (Pisum sativum cv. There are three varieties of A. altissima: A. altissima is native to northern and central China,[1] Taiwan[23] and northern Korea. : Certain sensitive individuals have found contact with plant parts to cause skin irritation and rashes. [49], The tree of heaven is a very rapidly growing tree, possibly the fastest growing tree in North America. [9] The lobed bases and glands distinguish it from similar sumac species. A few cultivars exist, but they are not often sold outside of China and probably not at all in North America: Nearly every part of A. altissima has had various uses in Chinese traditional medicine,[8] although there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it has an effect on any disease. It can withstand very low phosphorus levels and high salinity levels. However, enthusiasm soon waned after gardeners became familiar with its suckering habits and its foul smelling odor. Ailanthus altissima. Each work favoured a different character, however, and there is still some debate in the Chinese botanical community as to which character should be used. Names. [46] Resistance in various plant species has been shown to increase with exposure. When they emerge in the spring, the leaves are bronze then quickly turn from medium to dark green as they grow. This type of silk is known under various names: "pongee", "eri silk" and "Shantung silk", the last name being derived from Shandong Province in China where this silk is often produced. The plant belongs to Ailanthus Desf. The current name, chouchun (Chinese: 臭椿; pinyin: chòuchūn), means "stinking tree", and is a relatively new appellation. For the TV show, see, A deciduous tree in the family Simaroubaceae, native to northeast and central China and Taiwan, For a more thorough discussion, see the entry for, 'Tree-of-heaven's prolific seed production adds to its invasive potential', August 2, 2017, Penn State News, Kunst-Werke Institute for Contemporary Art, "Seed Production, Viability, and Reproductive Limits of the Invasive Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven) within Invaded Environments", Southern Research Station (www.srs.fs.fed.us), "The toxic Tree of Heaven threatens England's green and pleasant land", "The systematic relationships of glucosinolate-producing plants and related families: a cladistic investigation based on morphological and molecular characters", "Seed viability and dispersal of the wind-dispersed invasive, "Gone with the wind and the stream: Dispersal in the invasive species Ailanthus altissima", "Element Stewardship Abstract for Ailanthus altissima", "Phytogeography and fossil history of Ailanthus (Simaroubaceae)", "Preliminary list of plant invaders in Montenegro", "PGR Forum Crop Wild Relative Catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean", "City urges residents to report invasive Tree of heaven", 'Tree-of-Heaven an Exotic Invasive Plant Fact Sheet', May 15, 2014, Ecological Landscape Alliance, "The Great Charcoal Debate: Briquettes Or Lumps? Swingle: Common Name: TREE-OF-HEAVEN: Coefficient of Conservatism: * Coefficient of Wetness: 5 Wetness Index: UPL Physiognomy: Ad Tree. [1] The tree also resprouts vigorously when cut, making its eradication difficult and time-consuming. [26] Within China itself it has also been naturalized beyond its native range in areas such as Qinghai, Ningxia and Xinjiang. The individual flowers are yellowish green to reddish in color, each with five petals and sepals. It is possible that the tree is native to these areas, but it is generally agreed that the tree was a very early introduction. [1] Ailanthus has become a part of western culture as well, with the tree serving as the central metaphor and subject matter of the best-selling American novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Also a Latin superlative meaning very high or tallest; altissima: from alta, high. [1] In many countries, it is an invasive species due to its ability both to colonize disturbed areas quickly and to suppress competition with allelopathic chemicals. The ends of the branches become pendulous. Leaves compound, imparipinnate, ca. In North America the tree is the host plant for the ailanthus webworm (Atteva aurea), though this ermine moth is native to Central and South America and originally used other members of the mostly tropical Simaroubaceae as its hosts. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/ailalt/all.html Rather than the issue being resolved, more names soon appeared for the plant: Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart observed a specimen in Utrecht in 1782 and named it Rhus cacodendron.[8]. Sugar Snap) and maize (Zea mays cv. [51], Due to the tree of heaven's weedy habit, landowners and other organisations often resort to various methods of control in order to keep its populations in check. A large polygamous tree, upto 30 m high or more. The 1943 book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith uses the tree of heaven as its central metaphor, using it as an analogy for the ability to thrive in a difficult environment. It has a smooth, grey bark with compound leaves which are alternate, odd-pinnate, with 11-25 lanceolate leaflets. The bark of the tree is smooth and light grey, while the stems are reddish or chestnut. [61], In addition to the tree of heaven's various uses, it has also been a part of Chinese culture for many centuries and has more recently attained a similar status in the west. Native To: China ( Fryer 2010) Date of U.S. Introduction: [6], A. altissima is a medium-sized tree that reaches heights between 17 and 27 metres (56 and 89 ft) with a diameter at breast height of about 1 m (40 inches). Common Name: tree-of-Heaven, tree-that-grows-in-Brooklyn. [68][69], "Tree of heaven" redirects here. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. [17] Altissima is Latin for "tallest",[18] and refers to the sizes the tree can reach. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima Common name: Tree of Heaven Page 1 of 2 QUESTION COMMENTS REFERENCE RANKING Social 1. Swingle. Common Name: Tree of Heaven: Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima: Family: Simaroubaceae : Growth Form: Tree: Native Range: Central China: Invasive Range: The Tree of Heaven has invaded 42 of the 50 United States, including the majority of the East and West coasts. : Introduction: var. Deciduous; On invasive species list; Height of over 70′ Very fast growing; Leaves are pinnately compound; Has a strong, unpleasant odor; Is most common in urban and disturbed areas The name is derived from the Ambonese word ailanto, meaning "heaven-tree" or "tree reaching for the sky". 30-50 cm long; petiolules ca. In many areas it has become a noxious weed. He further writes (his emphasis): .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, For most landscaping conditions, it has no value as there are too many trees of superior quality; for impossible conditions this tree has a place; selection could be made for good habit, strong wood and better foliage which would make the tree more satisfactory; I once talked with an architect who tried to buy Ailanthus for use along polluted highways but could not find an adequate supply [...], In Europe, however, the tree is still used in the garden to some degree as its habit is generally not as invasive as it is in America. This derives from the literature of Zhuangzi, a Taoist philosopher, who referred to a tree that had developed from a sprout at the stump and was thus unsuitable for carpentry due to its irregular shape. [44] It is a short lived tree in any location and rarely lives more than 50 years. [39] Growth of one to two metres (3.5-6.5 ft) per year for the first four years is considered normal. In William Faulkner's novel, Sanctuary, a "heaven-tree" stands outside the Jefferson jail, where Lee Goodwin and a "negro murderer" are incarcerated. It contains a quinone irritant, 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone, as well as quassinoids. [1] Prolonged cold and snow cover cause dieback, although the trees resprout from the roots. Around the corner, business was brisk at a drug house where residents and customers alike weren’t above casually taking a piss in the driveway. Ailanthus altissima is a small to medium-sized tree of the mostly tropical Quassia family. Common Name: Tree of heaven Botanical name: Ailanthus altissima Legal Status: NEMBA Category 1b. This manifests itself occasionally when expressing best wishes to a friend's father and mother in a letter, where one can write "wishing your ailanthus and daylily are strong and happy", with ailanthus metaphorically referring to the father and daylily to the mother. People living near the lower Yellow River know it by the name chunshu (simplified Chinese: 椿树; traditional Chinese: 椿樹; pinyin: chūnshù), meaning "spring tree". KAMAL A. MALIK Ailanthus glandulosa Desf. It becomes rare in the north, occurring only infrequently in southern Scotland. Ailanthus rhodoptera F. Muell. [1] The noxious odours have been associated with nausea and headaches, and with contact dermatitis reported in both humans and sheep, which developed weakness and paralysis. [16][63] She writes: There's a tree that grows in Brooklyn. "[I]n a sense, the sculpture garden was designed around the tree", said a former aide to Noguchi, Bonnie Rychlak, who later became the museum curator. The drought-tolerance of the tree is strong due to its ability to effectively store water in its root system. The pistil is made up of five free carpels (i.e. It has colonized natural areas in Hungary, for example, and is considered a threat to biodiversity at that country's Aggtelek National Park. Family Name: Simaroubaceae - Quassia Family. [58] In Germany the tree is commonly planted in gardens. D'Incarville attached a note indicating this, which caused much taxonomic confusion over the next few decades. Each leaflet is 5–18 cm (2-7 inches) long and 2.5–5 cm (1-2 inches) wide. Unlike other members of the genus Ailanthus, it is found in temperate climates rather than the tropics. Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) All have some positive and negative aspects, but the most effective regimen is generally a mixture of chemical and physical control. Zhejiang Province in eastern China is most famous for producing these steamers. Furthermore, high concentrations of mercury have been found built up in tissues of the plant. Hardiness zones are based largely on climate, particularly minimum temperatures. [61] The plant may be mildly toxic. The tree was first brought from China to Europe in the 1740s and to the United States in 1784. [20] The tree of heaven is found within a wide range of climatic conditions. [52][note 1], In addition to its use as an ornamental plant, the tree of heaven is also used for its wood and as a host plant to feed silkworms of the moth Samia cynthia, which produces silk that is stronger and cheaper than mulberry silk, although with inferior gloss and texture. Higher numbers represent more temperate areas. They have lenticels as well as heart-shaped leaf scars (i.e. It grows lushly...survives without sun, water, and seemingly earth. glandulosa Desf.. A large, deciduous, often unisexual tree, frequently 50 to 70 ft, rarely loo ft high, with a trunk 2 to 3 ft in diameter, and a rounded head of branches. [8] The fruits grow in clusters; a fruit cluster may contain hundreds of seeds. Ailantus rhodoptera F. Seeds produced from exposed plants have also been shown to be more resistant than their unexposed counterparts. Toxicodendron altissimum Mill. [56], Tree of heaven is a popular ornamental tree in China and valued for its tolerance of difficult growing conditions. Common Name: Tree of Heaven. It was formerly known under the scientific name Atteva punctella (see Taxonomy section). The samara is large and twisted at the tips, making it spin as it falls, assisting wind dispersal,[7][9] and aiding buoyancy for long-distance dispersal through hydrochory. The tree grows rapidly and is capable of reaching heights of 15 m (50 feet) in 25 years. [12] It contains phytochemicals, such as quassin and saponin, and ailanthone. [7][23] In the east of its range it grows most extensively in disturbed areas of cities, where it was long ago present as a planted street tree. Plant Height (Inches): 600 to 900 Plant Spread (Inches): 420 to 600 Time of Bloom: spring Flower Details: Green Leaf … Although the live tree tends to have very flexible wood, the wood is quite hard once properly dried. Because the trees exhibit rapid growth for the first few years, the trunk has uneven texture between the inner and outer wood, which can cause the wood to twist or crack during drying. : 'foul smelling tree'), is a deciduous tree in the family Simaroubaceae. [7] On the other hand, a study in an old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest in New York found that Ailanthus was capable of competing successfully with native trees in canopy gaps where only 2 to 15% of full sun was available. [70], Ingo Vetter, a German artist and professor of fine arts at Umeå University in Sweden, was influenced by the idea of the "ghetto palm" and installed a living ailanthus tree taken from Detroit for an international art show called Shrinking Cities at the Kunst-Werke Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin in 2004. It has escaped cultivation in all areas where it was introduced, but most extensively in the United States. Return to our Trees of Canada resource here: [24], Several species of Lepidoptera utilise the leaves of ailanthus as food, including the Indian moon moth (Actias selene) and the common grass yellow (Eurema hecabe). [20] It was once very popular in cultivation in both Europe and North America, but this popularity dropped, especially in the United States, due to the disagreeable odor of its blossoms and the weediness of its habit. At that time as well as now, ailanthus was common in neglected urban areas. Tree of heaven is an opportunistic plant that thrives in full sun and disturbed areas. The seeds sent by d'Incarville were thought to be from the economically important and similar looking Chinese varnish tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), which he had observed in the lower Yangtze region, rather than the tree of heaven. Its large, compound leaves are arranged alternately on the stem, and can be 30–60 cm long (occasionally up to 1 m long on vigorous young sprouts) and contain 11-33 leaflets, occasionally up to 41 leaflets. Native of China, introduced into North America in 1784 as an ornamental. Outside Europe and the United States, the plant has been spread to many other areas beyond its native range, and is considered internationally as a noxious weed. Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) In Paris, Linnaeus gave the plant the name Rhus succedanea, while it was known commonly as grand vernis du Japon. In the United Kingdom it is especially common in London squares, streets, and parks, though it is also frequently found in gardens of southern England and East Anglia. The buds are finely pubescent, dome shaped, and partially hidden behind the petiole, though they are completely visible in the dormant season at the sinuses of the leaf scars. While the species rarely lives more than 50 years, some specimens exceed 100 years of age. This has led to the tree being called "tree of hell" among gardeners and conservationists. Their styles are united and slender with star-shaped stigmas. There is also a selection, A. altissima f. erythrocarpa, that produces "bright red seeds". [55] There are problems with using the wood as lumber, however. they are not fused), each containing a single ovule. small marks where the veins of the leaf once connected to the tree) around the edges. [1][7] It is considered a shade-intolerant tree and cannot compete in low-light situations,[43] though it is sometimes found competing with hardwoods, but such competition rather indicates it was present at the time the stand was established. [8][16] The specific glandulosa, referring to the glands on the leaves, persisted until as late as 1957, but it was ultimately made invalid as a later homonym at the species level. [24] In other areas of Europe this is not the case as climates are mild enough for the tree to flourish. They range in size from 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) in length and contain 10–41 leaflets organised in pairs, with the largest leaves found on vigorous young sprouts. [4] Its suckering ability makes it possible for this tree to clone itself indefinitely. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. [8][23] It also grows along roads and railways. The name is in reference to the great heights of the tree (helped by a very robust grow rate). Furthermore, the male plants emit a foul-smelling odor while flowering to attract pollinating insects. Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima Common Name: Tree of heaven Growing Zone: USA: 5 to 8 Life Cycle / Plant Type: Tree Plant Details. (ailanthus) genus and Simaroubaceae (Quassia family). [8][12] The male flowers are similar in appearance, but they of course lack a pistil and the stamens do function, each being topped with a globular anther and a glandular green disc. The flowers are small and appear in large panicles up to 50 cm (20 in) in length at the end of new shoots. The moth has also been introduced in the United States. [63][67] In certain parts of the United States, the species has been nicknamed the "ghetto palm" because of its propensity for growing in the inhospitable conditions of urban areas, or on abandoned and poorly maintained properties, such as in war-torn Afghanistan. [23] In western North America it is most common in mountainous areas around old dwellings and abandoned mining operations. Ailanthus: from ailanto, an Indonesian name for A. molucuanna or A. intergrifolia, meaning Tree of Heaven, or 'Reaching for the Sky', referring to tree height. [50] In its native range A. altissima is associated with at least 32 species of arthropods and 13 species of fungi. Restrict human access? It proved able to kill nearly 100% of seedlings with the exception of velvetleaf, which showed some resistance. Trees of Canada →, Latin (scientific) name: Ailanthus altissima. It was mentioned in the oldest extant Chinese dictionary and listed in many Chinese medical texts for its purported curative ability. J. Kelly. This has been attributed to the tree's ability to colonize areas of rubble of destroyed buildings where most other plants would not grow. Ailanthus altissima, Ailanthus, Tree-of-heaven. 2-10 mm long; petiole ca. It would be considered beautiful except that there are too many of it. [8] Along highways, it often forms dense thickets in which few other tree species are present, largely due to the toxins it produces to prevent competition. Interestingly, Tree-of-Heaven has another common name — Chinese sumac — which shows how similar these plants look, without closer inspection. Later scholars associated this tree with ailanthus and applied the metaphor to children who, like stump sprouts of the tree, will not develop into a worthwhile human being if they don't follow rules or traditions.[62]. It spreads aggressively both by seeds and vegetatively by root sprouts, re-sprouting rapidly after being cut. [24] In addition, the warmer microclimate in cities offers a more suitable habitat than the surrounding rural areas (it is thought that the tree requires a mean annual temperature of 8 degrees Celsius to grow well, which limits its spread in more northern and higher altitude areas). Male trees produce three to four times as many flowers as the females, making the male flowers more conspicuous. Ailanthus, Chinese sumac, and stinking sumac. It was mentioned again in a materia medica compiled during the Tang dynasty in 656 AD.