SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ailanthus altissima

COMMON NAME: tree-of-heaven

LEAVES: Even and odd pinnately compound. Dark glands at the base of the leaflet (crushed gland smells). Up to 25 leaflets per leaf. Leaflets ovate and taper to the tip (attenuate).

FRUIT: single samara with the seed in the middle of the wing. Late summer and fall.

FLOWERS: Large clusters of yellow flowers in May/June.

BARK: Smooth and grey.

OTHER: Grows very fast (4'/year), up to 90' tall, is short lived, and suckers easily. Don't use as a specimen tree. Grow in clumps in large areas. A member of the Simaroubaceae family. Proven to have allelopathic properties. In Atlanta you see seedlings of this species coming up in cracks in the side walk.