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Ailanthus Altissima (Mill.) Swingle; Synonyms: A United States Department of Agriculture Field Guide for Managing Tree-of-heaven in the Southwest Forest Southwestern Service Region TP-R3-16-09 Revised May 2017 Cover Photos Left: L.J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Upper right: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Lower right: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Printed on recycled paper Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle; synonyms: A. glandulosa, Toxicodendron altissimum) Quassia family (Simaroubaceae) Tree-of-heaven is an invasive tree in southwestern States • Dark green, broadly lanceolate leaflets; margins that has been listed as a noxious weed in New Mexico. entire with teeth or lobes at the base; light green This field guide serves as the U.S. Forest Service’s veins and whitish green underneath with glandular recommendations for management of tree-of-heaven in red dots near lobes. forests, woodlands, and riparian areas associated with its • Dioecious; numerous, small, yellow-green flowers on Southwestern Region. The Southwestern Region covers 8 to 16 inch panicles; produced mostly in June and Arizona and New Mexico, which together have 11 national July in New Mexico. Staminate flowers malodorous. forests. The Region also administers 4 national grasslands located in northeastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, • Persistent, propeller-like fruits (1.5-inch-long and the Texas panhandle. samaras); fruit turns pale green to tan to reddish as it matures. Fruits occur in dense clusters. Description • Seed is both sexually and asexually produced with up Tree-of-heaven (synonyms: ailanthus, Chinese sumac, to 300,000 seeds per tree in a year. In general, seeds stinking sumac, paradise tree, copal tree, Brooklyn palm) are not long lived and usually do not persist in the is a fast growing tree that was introduced as an ornamental seed bank for more than a year or two. into the United States from China. Both its common and Ecology scientific name refer to its rather tall height (60 to 80 feet). Tree-of-heaven is dioecious with female trees producing Impacts/Threats clusters of persistent, one-seeded, winged fruit that Tree-of-heaven is an extremely competitive, fast-growing resemble those found on maples. Male trees produce tree with young sprouts growing as much as 10 to 15 feet groups of staminate flowers that smell like burnt peanuts in a year. Once established, it can overrun native or cashews. vegetation by developing dense thickets of cloned trees. It can dominate colonized sites indefinitely through re- Growth Characteristics sprouting and root suckering. Coupled with its size and • Deciduous tree; 60 to 80 feet tall; 80 foot crown structural weakness, the rapid rate of spread and growth of width; up to 3 foot trunk diameter. tree-of-heaven makes it an acute hazard along roadsides. In urban areas, tree-of-heaven roots can damage sewer • Perennial but generally a short-lived tree (30 to 50 lines and structures. years). Beige to light brown wood is soft, weak and coarse-grained; breaks easily. Site/Distribution • Bark is light brown to pale grey when mature; Tree-of-heaven establishes readily along roadsides, fence smooth bark becomes rough and fissured on trunk. rows, railways, woodland edges, forest openings, or in riparian zones. It is often found in waste areas or disturbed • Branches are grey, glossy and smooth with raised sites such as old fields and abandoned areas (e.g., mining dots that become fissures with age. Twigs are communities). The species is intolerant of flooding and reddish-brown and velvety. deep shade; but it can occur in areas where trees normally do not grow such as cliff crevices or paved areas (parking • Pinnately compound leaf (1 to 4 feet long) with 10 to lots, sidewalks, etc.). Tree-of-heaven is widespread across 41 leaflets (2 to 7 inches long). the United States (especially in eastern forests and 1 woodlands), but infestations tend to be more localized in Choice of individual control method(s) for tree-of-heaven the Southwest. depends on the extent and density of infestation, current land use, and site conditions (accessibility, terrain, Spread microclimate, other flora and fauna present, etc.). Other Tree-of-heaven is a prolific seed producer; and its seed important considerations include treatment effectiveness, may be dispersed via wind, water, birds, and farm or road overall cost, and number of years needed to achieve equipment. However, the majority of new plants within an control. More than one control method may be needed for a area are usually from root sprouts. If the top is removed or particular site. the stump is cut, new sprouts from lateral roots may occur 50 to 90 feet from the parent tree. Physical Control Invasive Features Tree-of-heaven is not easily controlled by simple cutting or Tree-of-heaven is highly adaptable and can grow under by other mechanical means. Not only do trees re-sprout limiting or harsh conditions such as soils that are saline, with tremendous vigor, but massive root suckering also nutrient poor, or highly compacted. It will also grow in occurs, which in some cases results in many more new areas affected by heat, drought, or pollution. Allelopathic stems spreading over a wider area. There are several chemicals in leaves, bark, roots, and seed inhibit growth practical techniques that can help make physical control of and germination of surrounding plants. tree-of-heaven more effective. These include (1) cutting trees before they become too large; (2) cutting trees in Management early summer when root reserves are lowest; (3) cutting regrowth repeatedly and frequently, and applying herbicide It is very difficult to control tree-of-heaven once to cut surfaces; and (4) providing shade from competitive established. Strategies to control populations require long- native plants after control efforts. term planning, integrated management, and follow-up monitoring. A commitment to repeated management Manual Methods actions is a must. The following actions should be Hand pulling – Very young seedlings can be pulled or dug considered when planning a management approach: up, depending on soil conditions. Seedlings are easily distinguished from root sprouts by their slender stems, • Maintain healthy plant communities to limit tree-of- trifoliate leaflets, and cotyledons (if still present). Pull heaven establishment. Minimize disturbance and/or when soils are moist and be sure to remove the entire root. promptly revegetate disturbed or bare ground areas with desirable native species. Grubbing – For saplings or young trees, hand grubbing or mechanical extraction of roots may be effective. However, • Conduct surveys, map known infestations, and grubbing is usually not practical for mature trees or dense monitor for tree-of-heaven, especially on roadsides, stands. Removal of the entire root is necessary for control fence lines, trails, waterways, parking lots, etc. Keep of individual trees. annual records of reported infestations. Mechanical Methods • Combine mechanical, cultural, and chemical methods Mowing – After larger trees have been cut to ground level, for most effective control of tree-of-heaven. re-sprouting wood is soft enough to be mowed at regular • Implement a monitoring and follow-up treatment plan intervals, which can stress root reserves lead to fewer root in areas where control practices have been made to suckers. However, an infrequent mowing cycle may allow further suppress root sprouts and seedlings. the sprouts to spread and become too tall to mow. Mowing Table 1 summarizes some management options for is more effective when followed by a chemical treatment. controlling tree-of-heaven under various situations. Further Mowing equipment should be cleaned after use to prevent details on these management options are explained below. movement of seeds into un-infested areas. 2 Table 1. Management options* Site Physical Control Cultural Control Biological Control Chemical Control Roadsides, Cut larger top growth to ground Educate road crews to Consider using goats Methods include foliar application, fence lines, level in spring or early summer; identify and report in combination with basal bark spray, cut-stump; rights-of- use mowing as a follow-up infestations along herbicide spraying.
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