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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Tree of heaven is a non-native invasive small tree in the Simaroubaceae family. While it is native to China it has aggressively naturalized in many parts of the USA and all areas of North Carolina.
The leaves are the best way to identify this tree as the large compound leaves have a glandular, notched base on each leaflet and the serrations or tooths on the margin appear toward the base of the leaf. In spring large clusters of yellow flowers appear above the trees that are followed by winged fruits that are dispersed by the wind or water. They also spread suckers. Pull up volunteers when they are young before they flower, identifying them by the serrations near the base of teh leaves.
The tree forms dense, thickets that will displace native species and is tolerant of poor soil increasing its invasive abilities. It will even grow in the cracks of pavement. It is reported to be invasive in natural areas in 30 states across the continental U.S. and Hawaii.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Very invasive and difficult to eradicate once it establishes itself. Potential host for the invasive spotted lanternfly. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. Choose native trees listed in the left-hand column instead.
- 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
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- 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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- Large drooping clusters of flat, twisted reddish brown winged seed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Large showy 4-7 inch clusters of yellow-green flowers May-June. Flowers may have a foul odor.
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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:
- Entire
- 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 that have a glandular, notched base on each leaflet and serrations that appear only at the base of the leaves otherwise the margins are entire. Non-showy fall color. Leaves can have a foul odor when crushed.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth, pale gray bark. The wood is soft, weak, coarse-grained and creamy white to light brown in color.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are light chestnut brown. Stems can have a foull odor when broken.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Allelopathic
- Invasive Species
- Malodorous
- Weedy
