Trees diurnal

tree-of-heaven

Ailanthus altissima

Often called the 'ghetto palm' for its resilience in urban environments, the tree-of-heaven is a lightning-fast grower with a hidden, aggressive side. While its tropical appearance is striking, it is a master of chemical warfare in the plant world.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Height: 15–25 m (50–80 ft); Trunk diameter: up to 1 m (3.3 ft)

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Colors

Light grey bark; dark green leaves; seeds (samaras) are pale green, turning vibrant orange-red in late summer

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Key Features

Large pinnately compound leaves (1-4 feet long)
Glandular teeth or 'notches' at the base of each leaflet
Smooth, light grey bark that develops a cantaloupe-like texture with age
Strong, unpleasant odor described as 'burnt peanut butter' when leaves are crushed

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6 AM - 8 PM (Best visibility during daylight)

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Season May-October

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Diet Photoautotrophic; converts sunlight into energy via photosynthesis and is highly tolerant of nutrient-poor or contaminated soils.

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Habitat Disturbed sites, urban vacant lots, highway medians, forest edges, and suburban backyards.

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Behavior

Tree-of-heaven is an exceptionally fast-growing deciduous tree known for its aggressive colonization of disturbed areas. It is a pioneer species that thrives where other plants struggle, often sprouting through cracks in pavement or in poor, compacted urban soils. Its growth strategy is dual-pronged: it produces hundreds of thousands of wind-dispersed seeds annually and also spreads vigorously through an underground network of clonal root suckers.

One of the tree's most notable 'behaviors' is its allelopathic nature. It produces a chemical called ailanthone in its roots and bark that leaches into the soil, effectively poisoning and inhibiting the growth of neighboring plant species. This allows the tree to create dense monocultures, quickly outcompeting native vegetation. In North America and Europe, it has become a significant ecological concern, particularly as the primary host plant for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.

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Camera Tips

While a tree might seem like a static subject, the tree-of-heaven is a hub of activity for backyard wildlife and invasive species monitoring. To capture the best footage, focus your camera on the trunk rather than the canopy. This is the best way to document the presence of the Spotted Lanternfly, which crawls up the trunk in large numbers. Mount your camera at chest height (about 4-5 feet), aimed slightly downward to capture the texture of the bark and any insects or small mammals moving along the base.

For those interested in the tree's incredible growth rate, utilize a time-lapse setting. Set your camera to take one photo every 24 hours from the same fixed position starting in early spring. By mid-summer, you will have a fascinating sequence showing the rapid 'reach' of its compound leaves. Because the leaflets are quite large and move easily in the wind, ensure your motion trigger sensitivity is set to 'Medium' to avoid hundreds of 'false' triggers caused by a light breeze.

Lighting plays a critical role in distinguishing tree-of-heaven from its look-alikes on camera. The bark is relatively reflective; midday sun can wash out the subtle fissures that characterize the species. For the most 'identifiable' shots, position your camera so it faces North or South to take advantage of side-lighting during the morning and evening. This will highlight the 'cantaloupe skin' texture of the mature bark and the vibrant, winged seeds (samaras) which are a key identification feature in late summer and autumn.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with tree-of-heaven.

Staghorn Sumac

Sumac has fuzzy 'velvet' on its twigs and serrated leaf edges, unlike the smooth twigs and notched leaves of Ailanthus.

Black Walnut

Walnut leaves lack the glandular notches at the base and produce large green nuts rather than papery winged seeds.

Boxelder

Boxelder leaves are also compound but typically have only 3-5 leaflets, whereas tree-of-heaven can have up to 40.

Frequently Asked Questions

Look at the leaf edges. tree-of-heaven leaflets are smooth with a small notch at the base, while Sumac leaflets have serrated (toothed) edges all the way around. Also, tree-of-heaven seeds are papery wings, whereas Sumac has upright red berry clusters.

The tree produces a chemical defense mechanism that gives off a strong, offensive odor often compared to burnt peanut butter or cat urine, especially when the leaves are crushed or the male flowers are in bloom.

Yes, it is highly invasive. It grows rapidly, outcompetes native plants through chemical inhibition (allelopathy), and is the preferred host for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.

It can. Its vigorous and aggressive root system is known to damage sewer lines, septic tanks, and even lift sidewalks or crack foundations in urban areas.

While it isn't the best choice for a wildlife garden, it does attract various pollinators during its brief flowering stage and serves as a high-traffic highway for squirrels and certain birds looking for insects.

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