Page 53 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 53
e-of-Heaven
(Ailanthus altissima)
Description
This fast growing tree grows
up to 21 to 24 meters in
height and 0.3 to 0.6 meters
in diameter. The leaves are
compound, 0.3 to 1 meter
long, with 11 to 41 leaflets.
When crushed, the leaves
produce an offensive odor
that smells like burnt peanut
butter, so it is sometimes
called the Stink Tree! Male
and female flowers grow on
separate trees. The twisted,
papery, winged seeds, 2.5 to
3.8 centimeters long, are produced in large clusters on female trees.
Distribution and Habitat Originally from China, the Tree-of-
Heaven was introduced to the U.S. in
Trees-of-Heaven have spread 1784 by a gardener in Philadelphia.
throughout Virginia into all five The plant produces a chemical
physiographic provinces. They that inhibits the growth of many
grow in sunny disturbed areas other trees. The sap is also toxic to
such as roadsides, field edges humans and may cause a skin rash
and woodland openings. They or allergic reaction.
are tolerant of pollution and well-
adapted to poor soils and urban
environments.
Role in Food Web
Native wildlife usually do not use Tree-of-Heaven as a food source, although
White-tailed Deer and small rodents may sometime browse on it.
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(Ailanthus altissima)
Description
This fast growing tree grows
up to 21 to 24 meters in
height and 0.3 to 0.6 meters
in diameter. The leaves are
compound, 0.3 to 1 meter
long, with 11 to 41 leaflets.
When crushed, the leaves
produce an offensive odor
that smells like burnt peanut
butter, so it is sometimes
called the Stink Tree! Male
and female flowers grow on
separate trees. The twisted,
papery, winged seeds, 2.5 to
3.8 centimeters long, are produced in large clusters on female trees.
Distribution and Habitat Originally from China, the Tree-of-
Heaven was introduced to the U.S. in
Trees-of-Heaven have spread 1784 by a gardener in Philadelphia.
throughout Virginia into all five The plant produces a chemical
physiographic provinces. They that inhibits the growth of many
grow in sunny disturbed areas other trees. The sap is also toxic to
such as roadsides, field edges humans and may cause a skin rash
and woodland openings. They or allergic reaction.
are tolerant of pollution and well-
adapted to poor soils and urban
environments.
Role in Food Web
Native wildlife usually do not use Tree-of-Heaven as a food source, although
White-tailed Deer and small rodents may sometime browse on it.
r 49 r
