Ailanthus altissima
Tree of heaven · also Ailanthus tree, Ailanthus, Stinktree
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Ailanthus altissima, or Tree of Heaven, is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China and Taiwan. It is highly adaptable to harsh urban conditions like heat, drought, and poor soils, but is widely considered an invasive species due to its aggressive growth, prolific seed production, and association with the invasive spotted lanternfly. It can reach heights of 50-60 feet and has a rapid growth rate.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 3,8480.34%—5.3 in
- 3,0831.0%—9.0 in
- 1,5670.45%—9.8 in
- 1,5430.22%—12 in
- 1,2990.18%—14 in
- 1,0740.23%35 yr7.5 in
- 8860.31%31 yr9.8 in
- 8770.20%42 yr16 in
- 8270.36%—14 in
- 5600.28%—12 in
- 2322.8%——
- 1410.12%—14 in
- 1380.28%15 yr6.3 in
- 1220.16%—13 in
- 300.02%—20 in
- 210.01%—8.3 in
- 100.03%—15 in
- 80.01%—5.0 in
- 60.00%—2.3 in
- 60.03%—23 in
- 40.03%—35 in
- 20.00%—2.8 in
Traits
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 40–60 ft
- Canopy spread
- 40–60 ft
- Lifespan
- 50–100 years
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Drought tolerance
- High
- Blooms
- Mar, Apr, May
Trunk diameters across every city: median 8.8 in, mean 11 in, 90th percentile 24 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Central China Loess Plateau mixed forests
- Northeast China Plain deciduous forests
Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
- South Taiwan monsoon rain forests
Montane Grasslands & Shrublands
- Southeast Tibet shrublands and meadows
Other Ailanthus in the catalogue
2 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
