Arkansas Tree Database

Tree-of-heaven, Varnish Tree

Tree-of-heaven, Varnish Tree

Scientific name:

Ailanthus Altissima

Size:

60' tall by 40' wide

Leaves:

alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 18"-24" long, with 11-41 leaflets broadly lance-shaped with 2-4 coarse teeth near base of leaflet, otherwise untoothed; emitting a foul odor when crushed

Flowers:

small, greenish yellow, in large terminal panicles

Fruit:

samara in a dense cluster, twisted, yellow to red to brown

Fall Interest:

deciduous

Culture:

adaptable; spreads through seedlings or root sprouts

Disease/Insect:

Use:

invasive and not recommended

Cultivars:

Notes:

bark resembles skin of cantaloupe; preferred host plant for the invasive spotted lantern fly; native to China and invasive in Arkansas

Resources:

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/tree-of-heaven.aspx

Click thumbnail to enlarge images

Tree of heaven bark on trunk Tree of heaven bark on trunk Tree of heaven bark on trunk Tree of heaven flowers, in panicles Young tree of heaven, showing new growth and branching habit Tree of heaven leaflet of 18"-24" compound leaf, showing coarse, rounded teeth near base Tree of heaven leaflet shape in compound leaf Tree of heaven pinnately compound leaves, spring Tree of heaven fruit called samaras Tree of heaven infestation Tree of heaven saplings