Ailanthus altissima
Tree of Heaven

 This plant is considered invasive.

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Small yellow flowers in 8-16" clusters in early summer; these are not showy being masked by leaves)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (New leaves can appear a bronze purplish color; green at maturity in the summer); Brown (No fall foliage color change)
 Fruit Notes:
Red (Reddish samaras (on females) from late summer are ornamental for a short period, then change to light brown)
 Ultimate Height:
40-60 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
30-50 feet
 Soil Notes:
Very tolerant of a range of soil conditions
 Range:
China
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are alternate and large, being 18-24" long and pinnately compound, with each leaflet 3-5" long and having fine marginal hairs. 2-4 coarse teeth near leaflet base. Bark is roughened and has light-colored longitudinal stripes on darker background.

Additional Information

Unusual form and texture not unlike a large sumac. Highly adaptable. Tolerates salt spray. Dioecious. Coarse and inclined to drop twigs. Male flowers are malodorous; female plants make many weed seedlings. Ailanthus altissima forms dense, clonal thickets which displace native species and can rapidly invade fields, meadows, and harvested forests. This invasive tree species is extremely tolerant of poor soil conditions and can even grow in cement cracks. Ailanthus altissima is not shade tolerant, but easily invades disturbed forests or forest edges causing habitat damage. Introduced as an ornamental, it was widely planted in cities because of its ability to grow in poor conditions. Management and control efforts for this species continue across the United States at great economic cost.

When Ailanthus altissima has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

1 Ailanthus altissima found

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= Heritage plant = Memorial plant
Number Accession ID Location
12009_13753*AHORTPARK

Other plants like this Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven)

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