If you’ve ever noticed a scrappy-looking tree popping up in sidewalk cracks, backyards, or even construction sites and thought, “How did that get here?” chances are you’ve met the invasive Tree of Heaven. Despite its lofty name, this plant isn’t exactly angelic. In fact, it’s more like that uninvited guest who shows up everywhere, refuses to leave, and brings along a few problems of its own.

Ailanthus altissima, commonly known as the Tree of Heaven, is a highly invasive species in New Jersey. Native to China, it was introduced to North America in the 1700s as an ornamental shade tree due to its fast growth, ease of establishment, and tolerance of poor soil. But by the 1900s, it lost popularity as people recognized it as an aggressive weed. 

This species is allelopathic, meaning it releases toxins into the soil that harm other plants. Its aggressive root system can also damage building foundations, pavement, and sewers, making it particularly troublesome in urban and suburban areas. 

Curious how to identify the Tree of Heaven? Follow along for an overview of this plant’s features, and learn a few ways to stop it’s spread if you have it in your yard.

The leaves of the Tree of Heaven are pinnately compound, with leaflets arranged along a central stem. Individual leaves can range from 1 to 4 feet long and may have 10 to 40 leaflets. The leaflets are lance-shaped with smooth edges and feature one or two small bumps at their base, called glandular teeth. When crushed, all parts of the plant, including leaves, emit a strong, unpleasant odor. 

Female trees produce seeds enclosed in 1- to 2-inch-long twisted wings called samaras, with one seed per samara. These samaras grow in clusters and often remain on the tree through the winter.

Tree of Heaven, which can reach 80ft in height and 6 feet in width, has alternate, stout twigs that range from greenish to brown and lack a terminal bud. They have large V- or heart-shaped leaf scars. Twigs break easily, revealing a spongy, brown central pith. Along their main body, young bark is smooth and green, gradually aging to light brown or gray with a texture that resembles cantaloupe skin.

When you’re examining what you believe to be a Tree of Heaven, be sure to look closely. These trees can be confused with native trees like staghorn sumac, black walnut, and hickory, which also have compound leaves. However, native trees have toothed (serrated) leaflets, while Tree of Heaven’s are smooth. The strong, unpleasant odor from crushed leaves or twigs is another distinguishing feature. 

Beyond its own invasiveness, Tree of Heaven also poses indirect threats through its interactions with other pests. You may see spotted lanternflies gathering on Tree of Heaven, which could aid in identification. Tree of Heaven is the preferred host of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), a planthopper from China and Vietnam that threatens New Jersey crops and hardwood trees. First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and in New Jersey in 2018, spotted lanternflies have now spread statewide. Lanternfly nymphs hatch in mid-May black with white spots, later turning red and black with white spots. 

Adults of the spotted lanternfly appear in late July–August, with black heads, gray-black spotted forewings, and red-black spotted hind wings. Adults congregate in large numbers from August–October and lay eggs in October on smooth surfaces, resembling patches of mud. Eggs overwinter and are easily transported, making early detection crucial. 

Egg masses can be seen on the bark of Tree of Heaven. Scraping them with a plastic card or putty knife prevents hatching and limits spread. 

Okay, so you’ve identified the Tree of Heaven. What do you do next?

Fortunately, there are several ways to manage Tree of Heaven. Success relies on proper timing and consistent follow-up over several years.  

Mechanical Control: 

The most effective method is to remove seedlings by hand before their taproots develop.  

• Seedlings: Young seedlings can be pulled by hand, ideally when the soil is moist. It’s important to remove as much of the root as possible, since fragments can resprout. Once a taproot develops (often within 3 months), removal becomes very challenging. Seedlings can also be mistaken for root suckers, which are nearly impossible to pull by hand. 

• Larger trees: Mature trees can be cut at ground level with manual or power saws. Cutting is most effective once the tree begins to flower (June–early July). However, cutting or injuring a tree can trigger dozens of root sprouts. Cutting twice per year, early and late in the growing season, can weaken the tree, reduce seed production, and gradually stress it to eventual death.  

• Girdling: Removing a strip of bark around the trunk about 6 inches above the ground can kill the top of the tree, but re-sprouts are common, so repeated treatments may be necessary. 

Chemical Control: 

Always follow label instructions when using herbicides, and some treatments may require a licensed applicator. 

• Foliar sprays and basal bark treatments: Glyphosate can be sprayed on leaves after mid-August, and triclopyr can be applied to bark year-round (best in summer). Systemic herbicides are most effective in mid- to late summer, when the tree moves nutrients to its roots; applications outside this window may only damage above-ground growth. 

• Application methods: Herbicides can be applied to foliage, bark, or frill girdles. Cut-stump herbicide treatments are generally not recommended without repeated follow-up, as they encourage root suckering. Apply all treatments after July 1 and before fall color appears. 

• Effectiveness: Tree of Heaven is typically more susceptible to triclopyr than glyphosate, especially before late summer. For large trees, options include girdling plus herbicide, cutting and applying herbicide to the stump, or cutting and spraying resprouts while they are still small. 

While we promote sustainable landscaping practices, managing aggressive invasive species sometimes requires careful herbicide use. When applied responsibly and according to label instructions, herbicides are an effective tool to protect native plants and help them thrive. 

Tree of Heaven may sound divine, but it’s anything but heavenly. This fast-growing invasive threatens New Jersey’s native plants, forests, and landscapes. It spreads aggressively, damages infrastructure, and even provides a home for the destructive spotted lanternfly.

The good news? Early identification and consistent control, whether by hand, mechanical methods, or careful herbicide use, are essential to keeping it in check. By taking action in our yards, gardens, and communities, we can protect native species, support healthy ecosystems, and help our landscapes remain vibrant and resilient. Every effort, big or small, makes a difference!

If you suspect you have Tree of Heaven on your property, you can contact your local Rutgers Cooperative Extension for guidance. Please see the resources list below for more information. 

Are you ready to learn more about invasive species? Check out the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team Website and join Jersey-Friendly Yards for our upcoming webinar on Thursday, September 25, at 6:30pm EST: Invasive Species Talks with Mike Van Clef, Ph.D. Mike will discuss the problems that invasives cause in the ecosystem and ways to identify and control invasive species. Don’t miss out – register now! 

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Additional Resources 

The Nature Conservancy. (2025, February 14). Journey with nature: Tree of heaven. The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/indiana/stories-in-indiana/journey-with-nature–tree-of-heaven/ 

Invasive Species Centre. (n.d.). Tree of heaven. Invasive Species Centre. https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-plants/tree-of-heaven/ 

Penn State Extension. (n.d.). Tree-of-heaven. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven 

University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management. (n.d.). Invasive plant factsheet: Tree-of-heaven. University of Connecticut. https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/invasive-species/invasive_plants_tree-of-heaven/ 

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. (n.d.). Spotted lanternfly. Rutgers University. https://extension.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly 

Penn State Extension. (n.d.). What should you do with spotted lanternfly egg masses?. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/what-should-you-do-with-spotted-lanternfly-egg-masses