*Ailanthus altissima
*Ailanthus altissima
TREE-OF-HEAVEN
Simaroubaceae
China
Location: map coordinates W-2 (next to fence of Facilities parking lot, southeast of water tower), N 39°11'5'' W 75°32'51''
Planting history: presently unknown; probably a volunteer.
Description:
*Non-native species (not native to Delaware); listed as Invasive in Delaware
TREE-OF-HEAVEN
Simaroubaceae
China
Location: map coordinates W-2 (next to fence of Facilities parking lot, southeast of water tower), N 39°11'5'' W 75°32'51''
Planting history: presently unknown; probably a volunteer.
Description:
- medium-sized deciduous tree
- etymology: Ailanthus from Indonesian name ailanthos; altissima = tallest
- leaves compound (11-41 leaflets); glands on leaf teeth near leaf base have distinctive unpleasant odor
- incompletely dioecious (dioecious means male and female flowers on separate trees). This tree probably a male (because no fruits observed)
- fruits dry; in large clusters
- can spread by suckering
- allelopathic; chemical ailanthone inhibits growth of other nearby plants
- grows in disturbed areas, fast-growing and short-lived; tolerates polluted cities; relatively shade-intolerant
- used in traditional Chinese medicine
- leaves are eaten by ailanthus silkmoth caterpillars
- this is the tree featured in the book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith
*Non-native species (not native to Delaware); listed as Invasive in Delaware
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