Log in Start trial

Tree Of Heaven

Ailanthus Altissima

Design with this plant

Overview

The Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a robust deciduous tree rapidly reaching heights of 50-70 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet. Its compound leaves stretch 1-4 feet in length, offering a lush canopy. Resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8. However, it can be invasive with allelopathic qualities, potentially hindering nearby plant growth. Consider placement and control carefully in landscape designs.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 4–8Type Tree

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves are quite lengthy; yellow flowers in the garden

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Regular pruning and maintenance are needed to manage its size and to prevent unwanted spreading; tree with yellow blooms

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves stretch 1-4 feet in length, offering a lush canopy; and each is composed of numerous smaller leaflets

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Notably tolerant of urban conditions; resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8, image 106

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Additionally, it produces a chemical that can inhibit growth in nearby plants; is a robust deciduous tree, image 86

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — While it can thrive in a variety of soil types, it has a preference for well-drained loams; ailanthus, image 105

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 4–8

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Tree
Family: Simaroubaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (126)

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves are quite lengthy; yellow flowers in the garden

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Regular pruning and maintenance are needed to manage its size and to prevent unwanted spreading; tree with yellow blooms

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves stretch 1-4 feet in length, offering a lush canopy; and each is composed of numerous smaller leaflets

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Notably tolerant of urban conditions; resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8, image 106

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Additionally, it produces a chemical that can inhibit growth in nearby plants; is a robust deciduous tree, image 86

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — While it can thrive in a variety of soil types, it has a preference for well-drained loams; ailanthus, image 105

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — tree with yellow blooms; while it can thrive in a variety of soil types, it has a preference for well-drained loams

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — tree for full or half; regular pruning and maintenance are needed to manage its size and to prevent unwanted spreading

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — this tree can withstand air pollution and poor soils

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — with some specimens stretching upwards to 100 feet under optimal conditions; is a rapid-growing deciduous, image 77

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves stretch 1-4 feet in length, offering a lush canopy; and each is composed of numerous, image 71

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — tropical-like leaves and ability to provide swift shade; with some specimens stretching upwards to 100 feet under

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — is a robust deciduous tree rapidly reaching heights of 50-70 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — the Tree of Heaven is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, image 104

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Additionally, it produces a chemical that can inhibit growth in nearby plants; is a robust deciduous tree, image 63

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — with a tendency to spread aggressively through root suckers and seeds; additionally, it produces a chemical, image 62

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Its compound leaves are quite lengthy

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — scientifically referred to as Ailanthus altissima; with a tendency to spread aggressively through root, image 98

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Notably tolerant of urban conditions; resilient to pollution and poor soils, it thrives in zones 4-8, image 60

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — scientifically referred to as Ailanthus altissima; with a tendency to spread aggressively through root suckers and seeds

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — scientifically referred to as Ailanthus altissima; with a tendency to spread aggressively through root, image 75

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — Regular pruning and maintenance are needed to manage its size and to prevent unwanted spreading; tree with, image 66

Tree Of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) — the Tree of Heaven is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8

Photographs by 14 contributors

Dr. Leslie J. Mehrhoff (1950-2010), CC BY 3.0 us · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Kingfiser, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Adityamadhav83, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
A. Barra, CC BY 3.0 · source
Dalgial, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Wayne National Forest, CC BY 2.0 · source
Superraptor123, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Hexafluoride, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Traumrune, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Luis Fernández García, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Related plants

20Th Century Pear (Pyrus Pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki') — Revered for its prolific white blooms in spring and lustrous green foliage

Tree

20Th Century Pear

Pyrus Pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki'

Accolade Elm (Ulmus 'Morton' Accolade™) — It thrives in USDA Zones 5-8, in full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to varied soil types

Tree

Accolade Elm

Ulmus 'Morton' Accolade™

Acoma Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica 'Acoma') — Drought and mildew resistant, it's an ideal choice for accent planting in USDA zones 6-9

Tree

Acoma Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia Indica 'Acoma'

Acrocona Dwarf Spruce (Picea Abies 'Acrocona') — this slow-growing tree thrives in full sun to partial shade

Conifer

Acrocona Dwarf Spruce

Picea Abies 'Acrocona'

Afghan Pine (Pinus Eldarica) — is a versatile and robust conifer well-suited to arid and semi-arid climates

Conifer

Afghan Pine

Pinus Eldarica

FullUSDA 7–10

African Fern Pine (Afrocarpus Gracilior) — creating a soft texture that can soften the sterner lines of urban architecture

Tree

African Fern Pine

Afrocarpus Gracilior

FullUSDA 9–10