# tree-of-heaven (*Ailanthus altissima*) The tree of heaven is a tall tree with big, green leaves that can grow very quickly! It has a strong smell that some people say is like burnt peanuts. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 89 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Stink Tree, Tree of Heaven ![tree-of-heaven](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/G%C3%B6tterbaum_%28Ailanthus_altissima%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Darkone ( talk · contribs ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:G%C3%B6tterbaum_%28Ailanthus_altissima%29.jpg) ## Appearance The tree-of-heaven is a rapidly growing deciduous tree, often recognized by its long, compound leaves featuring 10-40 leaflets, each with a distinctive tooth and gland near the base. Its smooth, pale grey bark on young trees darkens and fissures with age, while its clusters of papery, reddish-brown winged seeds, called samaras, persist into winter. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Simaroubaceae - **Genus:** Ailanthus ## Interesting facts - Certain moths, like the Ailanthus silkmoth, love eating its leaves! - Its wood is so soft and weak, it's not good for building! - One tree can make hundreds of thousands of seeds each year! - Some call it "ghetto palm" because it grows in tough city spots! ## Special abilities - **Rapid Riser:** Tree-of-heaven can grow incredibly fast, shooting up several feet each year to outcompete other plants for sunlight. - **Chemical Warrior:** Tree-of-heaven releases special chemicals from its roots that make it hard for other plants to grow nearby. - **Clone Creator:** Tree-of-heaven can sprout new trees from its roots, quickly forming dense thickets even after being cut down. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1500-2500 cm - **Spread:** 1000-1500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Ailanthus webworm moth](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ailanthus-webworm-moth) (*Atteva aurea*) — Larvae feed on the leaves, sometimes defoliating the tree. - **Eats:** Ailanthus silkmoth (*Samia cynthia*) — Its caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of Ailanthus. - **Parasitizes:** Ailanthus wilt fungus (*Verticillium nonalfalfae*) — This fungus causes a lethal wilt disease, often used for biocontrol. - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees are attracted to its nectar and pollen during bloom. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the leaves too much, as they can sometimes irritate your skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify tree-of-heaven? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is tree-of-heaven? 1500-2500 cm ### How wide does tree-of-heaven spread? 1000-1500 cm ### How big are the flowers on tree-of-heaven? 0.5-1 cm ### When does tree-of-heaven bloom? Summer ### Is tree-of-heaven edible? No ### Is tree-of-heaven toxic? Mild ### What is tree-of-heaven's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Abbott Farm Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbott-farm-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District [View all places to see tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tree-of-heaven) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) - [lesser celandine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-celandine) (*Ficaria verna*) --- Source: [Tree-of-heaven: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven)