Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven)

Ailanthus altissima

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) is a tree (family Simaroubaceae) that is widely but discontinuously distributed in California. It was introduced as a landscape ornamental but escapes gardens and spreads by seeds and creeping roots that produce many suckers. It is most abundant along the coast and in the Sierra foothills, primarily in wastelands and disturbed, semi-natural habitats.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Ailanthus altissima

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Ailanthus altissima.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Ailanthus altissima.
• Weed Worker's Handbook (pdf) - Includes reproduction factors and treatment options.
• California distribution map - Maps based on survey data from county Weed Management Areas. These maps are the product of those working in the field and are not intended to be definitive.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species. Also see our statewide brochure on trees.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• (1993). California Exotic Pest Plant Council draft list exotic plants of greatest concern October 1993. CalEPPC News. 1: 6.
• DiTomaso, J. (1998). Results of the CalEPPC questionnaire at Symposium '98 in Ontario. CalEPPC News. 6: 4.
• Goode, S. (1998). Legendary stewardship award. CalEPPC News. 6: 10.
• Hunter, J. C. (1995). Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle: Its biology and recent history. CalEPPC News. 3: 4-5.
• Kitz, J. (1997). A working paper on Ailanthus. CalEPPC News. 5: 9.
• Kitz, J. (2000). Drilling Ailanthus. CalEPPC News. 8: 13.
• Neill, B. and T. A. Angeles (2005). The basal bark method of applying triclopyr herbicide. Cal-IPC News. 13: 8-9.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Butler, E. and S. Britting (1998). Mapping and control of weeds in the American River Parkway. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '98. Ontario, CA.
• Dempsey, J. and W. Elliott (2005). Invasive plant control at California State Parks in the northern Sacramento Valley. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2005. Chico, CA.
• DiTomaso, J. and G. Kyser (2002). Trial of several herbicides and application techniques for control of Ailanthus altissima, Upper Putah Creek, Yolo County. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium 2002. Sacramento, CA.
• Heath, M., K. Moore, et al. (2005). Trees and shrubs discussion group. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2005. Chico, CA.
• Hunter, J. C., J. C. Sterling, et al. (2003). The abundance and distribution of non-native woody species in Sacramento Valley riparian zones. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.
• Jackson, N. E. (1996). Control of exotic weeds with Roundup herbicide: A survey of projects around the world. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium. San Diego, CA.
• Kelly, M. (2001). Results of basal bark application of Garlon4 on Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven). California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium 2001. San Diego, CA.
• Telllman, B. (1996). Stowaways and invited guests:How some exotic plants reached the American southwest. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium. San Diego, CA.

Other Resources on Ailanthus altissima

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Natural Resource Projects Inventory - State database with information on resource management projects throughout California. Query by the species of interest.

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