tree-of-Heaven Simaroubaceae Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle   symbol: AIAL
	Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, 1 to 3 feet long, with 11 to 41 leaflets, leaflets are 2 to 6 inches long, pointed at the tip with large, glandular teeth near the base, green above and below. Flower: Dioecious; small yellow-green, in long (6 to 12 inches) clusters, males have a disagreeable odor, appearing in late spring to early summer. Fruit: An oblong, twisted samara, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long with the seed in the center, hanging in long clusters, ripens in late summer and disperse through the winter. Twig: Stout, yellow to red-brown, with fine velvety hairs when young, easily broken with a large reddish brown pith; buds are relatively small and half-spherical sitting above large, heart-shaped leaf scars; terminal bud is absent. Strong odor (some are reminded of peanut butter) when broken. Bark: Thin, light brown to gray, resembles the skin of a cantaloupe when young, later turning darker gray and rough. Form: A short to medium sized tree to 70 feet with heavy, open branches. Lower branches on larger trees tend to droop. Often grows in clumps.
	USDAFS Silvics of North America - USDAFS Additional Silvics - USDA Plants Database Ailanthus altissima is planted in the highlighted USDA hardiness zones to the left and may seed into the landscape. See a map of the states in which tree-of-Heaven has escaped (opens a new window).