How to Grow Tree of Heaven

Tree of Heaven

Ailanthus altissima

tree

Tree of Heaven is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to China that can reach 40-60 feet tall with compound pinnate leaves. Known for its rapid growth and ability to thrive in poor soil conditions, it has become naturalized throughout North America and Europe. While prized in some regions for its ornamental value and ability to colonize disturbed areas, it is considered invasive in many parts of North America due to its aggressive spread and allelopathic properties.

Looking for a specific variety?

Aureum Pendulifolium Ruby Lace Pyramidale variegatum

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade

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Water: Drought tolerant once established; minimal watering needed. Prefers moderate moisture but adapts to dry conditions. Overwatering not necessary.

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Spacing: 300-600 inches (25-50 feet apart for mature canopy spread) inches

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Days to maturity: 3-5 years to reach significant height; full maturity at 15-20 years

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Planting depth: Seed: 1/4 inch deep; transplants: plant at same depth as root ball

Soil

Type: Highly adaptable; tolerates poor, compacted, and contaminated soils

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Minimal amendments needed; actually prefers poor soil conditions

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-10, extremely adaptable across most climates

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-4 weeks

Seeds germinate in spring; seedlings develop first true leaves with feathery compound foliage characteristic of the species

Scarify seeds or soak 24 hours before planting to improve germination; maintain consistent moisture; provide dappled shade initially

Juvenile Growth

3-10 years

Rapid vertical growth phase; tree develops main trunk and primary branch structure; reaches 20-30 feet within 5-10 years

Train to single main trunk; prune competing leaders; minimal fertilization needed; tree establishes deep root system

Vegetative Maturity

Ongoing; 10-20+ years

Tree reaches full height (40-60 feet); develops full canopy; produces distinctive compound leaves 1-2 feet long with 11-25 leaflets

Prune dead or crossing branches; monitor for sucker growth from roots; manage if invasiveness is a concern in your region

Flowering & Fruiting

Flowering: 3-4 weeks spring; fruiting: develops through summer-fall

Small greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring in large panicles; female trees produce distinctive winged seeds (samaras) in fall, creating showy papery clusters

Female trees produce prolific seeds and sucker growth; consider male cultivars to reduce invasive spread; seeds viable for long periods

Dormancy

4-6 months (late fall through early spring)

Deciduous tree sheds all leaves in fall; enters winter rest period with bare branches

Minimal care needed; prune dead wood during dormancy; remove any vigorous sucker growth in late winter

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Avoid planting near:

Most understory plants Shrubs Herbaceous perennials Sensitive vegetable gardens

Common Pests

Remove egg masses in fall/winter; prune infested branches; apply sticky bands; use neem oil or insecticidal soap in severe cases
Usually minor; prune affected branches; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for severe infestations
Apply horticultural oil in early spring; prune heavily infested branches; encourage natural predators
and (fungal)
Ensure well-draining conditions; prune affected branches back to healthy wood; improve air circulation; avoid wounding tree

Uses

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Timber & Woodworking

Household

The light, soft wood is occasionally used for tool handles, boxes, and light construction in its native range, though it is not commercially significant in North America. [source]

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Traditional Medicine

Medicinal

In traditional Chinese medicine, various parts of the tree have been used to treat parasites, dysentery, and inflammation, though modern scientific evidence is limited. [source]

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Spotted Lanternfly Host Plant

Wildlife

While not desirable, the tree is the preferred host plant for the invasive spotted lanternfly, making it important to monitor in affected regions. [source]

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Ornamental Landscape Use

Craft

Its rapid growth, distinctive foliage, and tolerance of poor conditions made it a popular ornamental in the 19th-20th centuries; male cultivars selected to avoid seed production. [source]

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Allelopathic Properties

Household

The tree produces allelopathic compounds (notably ailanthone) that inhibit growth of neighboring plants, making it useful in understanding plant chemical ecology. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested for food or fiber. Seeds mature in late summer through fall; collect winged samaras before they drop if propagation is desired. Root segments can regenerate into new trees, making removal challenging.

Fun Facts

🌱 Tree of Heaven was famously featured in the 1947 novel 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' as a symbol of resilience and beauty thriving in harsh urban conditions.
🌱 A single tree can produce up to 300,000 seeds annually, and seeds remain viable in soil for decades, contributing significantly to its invasive success.
🌱 The tree's common name 'Tree of Heaven' comes from its Chinese name 'ailanto,' believed to mean 'tree reaching toward heaven' due to its rapid upward growth.

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