Varnish tree Ailanthus altissima
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Varnish tree:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ay-LAN-thus al-TISS-ih-muh
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Invasive exotic tree to the southeast; will grow almost anywhere. It will reseed itself, often by wind blown seeds. Spreads by suckers. It is not a native species, but has naturalized.
It forms dense, thickets which will displace native species. Its tolerance for poor soil aids its invasion of fields, meadows, forests and other areas. Although it not shade tolerant, it will invade disturbed forests or forest edges, causing damage to the natural habitat. It had been sold as an ornamental tree and planted in many areas. Popular due to its ability to flourish in locations where other trees could not succeed. The cost to manage and/or control this invader is great.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Very invasive.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ailanthus
- Species:
- altissima
- Family:
- Simaroubaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Description:
- Large drooping clusters of reddish brown winged seed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Non-showy yellow-green clusters of flowers. The female trees develop large drooping clusters of reddish brown winged seed
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 18 to 24 in. pinnately compound leaves with 10-41 leaflets. Non-showy fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy
