Tree of HeavenIdentify It. Remove It. Fight Lanternfly.
There is no single action more powerful than removing tree of heaven from your property. This invasive tree is SLF's preferred host — it draws SLF in from surrounding areas and sustains 3–5x higher nymph counts than alternative hosts. Eliminate it and you starve the population.
Why This Tree Is the Problem
Ailanthus altissima and Lycorma delicatula share a native range in China and have co-evolved. SLF can complete its life cycle on 70+ host plant species in North America, but it consistently returns to ToH when given a choice.
SLF aggregates preferentially on ToH. Egg-laying rates are higher. Nymphs develop faster with higher survival rates. ToH even emits volatile compounds hypothesized to serve as olfactory attractants.
“Properties with mature tree of heaven consistently show 3–5x higher SLF nymph counts compared to properties without it. Removing ToH is the most durable IPM strategy available to landowners.”
— Penn State Extension SLF Program Briefing, 2024
How to Identify It
Tree of heaven is commonly confused with native staghorn sumac and black walnut. These six features will confirm the ID. The first two are diagnostic — if both are present, it's ToH.
Basal Leaf Glands
Diagnostic1–2 rounded lobes at the base of each leaflet, each with a small round gland on its underside. The single most reliable ID feature. No native look-alike has this.
The Smell Test
DiagnosticCrush a leaf or snap a twig. Produces a pungent, unpleasant odor — variously described as burnt peanut butter, cat urine, or rancid cashews. Unmistakable once you know it.
Compound Leaves
1–4 foot long compound pinnate leaves with 11–41 leaflets arranged in opposite pairs with a single terminal leaflet. Alternate arrangement on the stem.
Bark Pattern
Young stems: smooth, tan to gray-green with pale lenticels. Mature bark: light gray, longitudinally furrowed with interlacing ridges — resembles cantaloupe skin.
Seed Clusters (Samaras)
Rusty red to tan clusters of papery, single-winged seeds. Appear September–November; persist into winter. Each samara is twisted, ~1.5 inches long, with the seed centered.
Growth Rate
Grows 6–10 feet per year from root sprouts. Common in disturbed soils: roadsides, fence lines, railroad corridors, vacant lots, forest edges.
ToH vs. Look-Alikes
Don't remove a native tree. Don't spare the invasive one.
| Feature | Tree of Heaven | Staghorn Sumac | Black Walnut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaflet base glands | Yes (diagnostic) | No | No |
| Smell when crushed | Pungent, unpleasant | Mild, astringent | Strong walnut |
| Bark texture | Smooth gray, cantaloupe pattern | Velvety/hairy twigs | Dark, deeply ridged |
| Fruit type | Clustered samaras | Red fuzzy upright cone | Round green husks |
| Leaflet edges | Smooth except basal lobes | Finely toothed along full edge | Finely toothed |
Why You Can't Just Cut It Down
Tree of heaven is one of the most vigorous resprouting plants in North American ecology. A mature tree cut at the stump will typically produce 10–20 root sprouts within weeks — supported by an established root system that may extend 30+ feet from the trunk.
ToH also produces allelopathic chemicals (ailanthone) that suppress competing vegetation, keeping the surrounding area open for its own resprouts. Simply cutting creates a clearing and an explosion of new shoots — making the problem worse.
The rule: Any removal method that does not kill the root system is temporary at best and counterproductive at worst.
Removal Methods That Work
Foliar Spray
Steps
- 1.Spray to the point of drip, covering all leaf surfaces
- 2.Use a backpack sprayer for dense thickets
- 3.Expect crown dieback within 2–4 weeks
- 4.Treat resprouts the following spring — required for long-term control
Important Note
Do not spray near water bodies. Apply on calm day to prevent drift.
Cut-Stump Treatment
Most UsedSteps
- 1.Cut tree at knee to waist height
- 2.IMMEDIATELY paint cut surface with herbicide — within 60–90 seconds of cutting
- 3.Speed is critical: the cambium layer closes within minutes
- 4.Do not cut and then clean up before treating — treat first, then clean up
- 5.Mark treated stumps; monitor for resprouts monthly for 2 years
Important Note
Most commonly used method. The 60-second window is real — do not delay.
Basal Bark Treatment
Steps
- 1.Mix triclopyr ester in commercial basal bark oil (not water — oil penetrates bark)
- 2.Spray or paint lower 12–18 inches of bark, completely around the trunk
- 3.No cutting required — herbicide penetrates through bark to the cambium
- 4.Monitor for resprouts from root system over 1–2 growing seasons
Important Note
Best for areas where cutting is impractical.
Hack-and-Squirt (Girdle and Treat)
Steps
- 1.Make downward cuts with a hatchet or chisel into bark at waist height, forming a ring
- 2.Cuts should reach the cambium — approximately 1/2 to 1 inch deep
- 3.Space cuts 1–2 inches apart, all the way around; cuts should overlap
- 4.Immediately inject triclopyr or glyphosate concentrate into each cut
- 5.Tree dies over 2–6 weeks; leave standing as snag or fell once dead
Important Note
Good for difficult-access locations. Standing snags provide wildlife habitat.
The Trap Tree Strategy
Instead of immediately removing all ToH, convert one or two trees into killing stations before removal.
- 1.Identify one or two large ToH on your property — the most SLF-attractive trees.
- 2.Treat with dinotefuran trunk band in late June when adults and 4th instars are present.
- 3.SLF are drawn to the ToH as normal — but ingest lethal doses while feeding.
- 4.After peak SLF feeding season (late August), remove the ToH itself using cut-stump or basal bark method.
This approach maximizes killing during summer then eliminates the host before next spring. Particularly effective for large, established ToH where immediate removal is logistically difficult. See dinotefuran application details →
What to Plant Instead
Native alternatives for Mid-Atlantic properties (DC, MD, VA, PA, NJ, NY). These provide equivalent canopy and ecosystem services without supporting invasive pest populations.
| Native Tree | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tulip poplar | Fast-growing, large canopy; excellent pollinator value |
| Red maple | Adaptable; good fall color; far less preferred by SLF than ToH |
| Persimmon | Drought-tolerant; wildlife food source |
| Serviceberry | Spring bloom; bird food; works as understory or small tree |
| Sycamore | Streamside planting; large canopy; very fast-growing |
| Blackgum / Black tupelo | Outstanding fall color; high wildlife value; not SLF-preferred |
| Eastern redbud | Small ornamental tree; excellent early pollinator food |
For locally sourced nursery stock, consult the Chesapeake Bay Native Plant Center or your state's native plant society.
Proper Disposal of Cut Material
Fresh-cut ToH branches and root material can resprout if left on moist ground.
- ✓Chip or shred branches (chips do not resprout)
- ✓Dry cut sections on a tarp for 2–4 weeks before chipping or burning
- ✗Do NOT compost untreated fresh material
- ✗Do NOT leave root sections exposed on damp soil
Stay Ahead of the Season
Weekly ToH removal tips, SLF control updates, and seasonal action steps for DC, MD & VA.