This is "Ailanthus altissima." It is the most toxic invasive species in the USA.

Ailanthus altissima (click here) is also known as Chinese Sumac. 

Tree-of-heaven (just to left of fence) in Coumbia State Park, CA. USDA, Forest Service

I think the popular name of "Tree-of-heaven" is probably American. I don't believe the Chinese named it that. This is not about China, it is about an invasive species that has taken over hillsides, roadsides, invaded forests and basically kills any other species within reach of it's roots.

An American botanist brought this species to the USA and placed it into an arboretum. That happened somewhere around the 1700s. Considering this is 2019, just think of the number of these lousy trees out there destroying the Amerian forests. Needless to say it escaped the arborteum and spread like wildlife ever since.

It is definitely an invasive species. The tree can grow up to 80 feet tall under normal conditions. With a dense CO2 content to the troposphere, it might grow taller. It's canopy is about two thirds of it's height.

The link above will provide anyone with all the information they need including what needs to replace it in all the affected states. 

Taxonomically, this is considered one leaf. Those individual leaves are actually called leaflets. There are 10 to 40 of the leaflets attached to the main stem. The bark of the tree is rather smooth and grey in color, but, the twigs are brown. The leaves are why it is called a sumac.


The tree will produce these hideous yellow "fruit." Like an apple there is a seed inside the fruit. A single mature tree can produce 325,000 seeds per season.

These are the seeds. The average person often think they are flowers. The flowers are small and green, but, they turn into this mess. As the seeds dry they turn a pinkish red color. But, it is obvious there are tons of these darn seeds produced in a season.

Ailanthus altissima kills other trees. It has root suckers that grow out from the tree and grow seedlings. It isn't just the seeds that are the problem, it is the entire lousy tree that is the problem. At any rate, these suckers will sprout seedlings and the roots go fairly deep at an early stage. If one is digging out the seedlings, the entire root has to be taken out because it will regenerate.

Yes, this tree is not only a menace, but it is also a virulent variety menace.

This tree is not from heaven. It is a lie. It will grow in very poor soils and that is what causes it's spread. It will grow where other trees will not. Once it started to grow in poor soils, there is no stopping it. There is no self-limiting behavior. It is like the Walking Dead, but, it is not afraid of water that is rain.

It is not tolerant of shade or wet areas. It is found in the city in allys, sidewalks, parking lots and vacant lots. In the country, it likes roadsides, fencerows, woodland edges and fields.

The roots can damage sewers, foundations and sidewalks.

The roots are toxic to other plants. It allows the plant to form a dense thicket that crowds out other plants and young trees. It is best to get rid of the entire tree before it drops it's seeds. The thicket has to be removed all the way down to the tip of the tap root. It is best to get rid of them as early in their development as possible.

There are chemical remedies, but, most folks are not interested in chemical resolve of a tree. I don't know if they make for good firewood, but, I would rather see them go through a chipper. Any firewood sitting around can start to sprout the suckers all over again.

But, for those interested in young forests, get rid of this species at every turn. It might look like interesting habitat, especially the thicket, but, it is actually not favored by wildlife. Wildlife much rather native species for food and shelter.