Ailanthus altissima Ailanthus altissima

From the root word ailanto-Meaning “tree of the gods” or

“tree of heaven”

TaxonomyClassification• Family: Simaroubaceae• Genus: Ailanthus• Species: altissima

Related Species• A. excelsa• A. integrifolia• A. malabarica• A. triphysa• A. vilmoriniana

Common Names:• Tree-of-Heaven• Smoke tree• Stink tree• Chinese Sumac

Description• Height: 25-30m tall (~100ft)• Leaves: Odd-pinnately compound w/lancelate leaflets • Twigs: Light brown with numerous lenticels. No terminal

meristems are present.• Bark: Smooth, thin cork epidermis w/ light grey brown age

groves.• Flowers: Produced in large panicles at the end of newly

growing shoots. The colors range from green to reddish. Flowers appear in mid May (depending on the latitude). Male and female flowers are present on separate plants. Male flowers produce a rancid smell to attract flies and wasps. Female flowers can produce several thousand seeds.

• Fruit: 3-8 cm long schizocarp. Each fruit contains only one seed. Seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Habitat: Where is it native?

• A. altissima is native to china and was introduced into Europe and North America before the 1800’s. (was documented to be naturalized by the 1800’s in Tennessee)

• A. altissima is exceptionally tolerant to a wide range of conditions. Although, it does not grow well in intense shade or flooding.

Distribution in North America and Canada

Distribution in Nevada

States where Invasive

Places where action is taken!

• Connecticut- Invasive, banned• Massachusetts- Prohibited• New Hampshire- Prohibited invasive species• Vermont- Class B noxious weed

A. Altissima Life History Traits

• Reproductive System-1) Dioecious2) Self-incompatible3) Sexual and vegetative reproduction

A. Altissima Life History Traits

• Reproductive System• Flowering & Fruiting periods

1) Flowers are small and extremely numerous2) Short Flowering in April to July3) Seeds can stay on the tree all winter4) Seeds are not very nutritious to other animals

A. Altissima Life History Traits

• Reproductive System• Flowering & Fruiting periods• Juvenile Period (Very short)1) Can grow up to 1m per year for the first 4 years2) After that continues to out grow other native trees

A. Altissima Life History Traits

• Reproductive System• Flowering & Fruiting periods• Juvenile Period• Germination Cues

1) Light… as little as 3% direct light through a canopy

2) Soil depth may play a role

A. Altissima Life History Traits

• Reproductive System• Flowering & Fruiting periods• Juvenile Period• Germination Cues• Light Requirements

1) Virtually no competitiveness in extreme shade2) High light phenotypic plasticity-Because of wide

range of suitable habitats

Arrival: How did it get here?

• In 1784, garden trade, PA• In 1850’s, garden trade, CA• Then…

• To other yards all over the US.• Got into streams and other water ways. • And traveled through the air.

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

• Vacant niche• There is no vacant niche to be used

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Herbicidal effects under field conditions of A. altissima bark extract, which contains ailanthone,

2003. Heisey, R.M. et. al

• Abstract:– Extracted ailonthone from the roots of A.

altissima and applied it, in varying amounts, in field conditions to plot sights and recorded: seed germination rate, biomass accumulation.

• Results:

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

Characteristics: What makes it invasive?

• Vacant niche• Allelopathy• Global Change• Resource Availability• Competition• Micro-evolutionary Changes• Escape from Biotic Restraints• Um.. Duh.. • In China: 30 predators• In US: … Cynthia Silk moth (Samia cynthia), but only in

silk production factories..

Impacts: Economic

• 111 acres of foothills and grass lands• Modifies grassland habitat and agriculture fields

• Fast growing • Costly to control biologically• Roots can damage streets and foundations

• Good for nursery trade• Cure for Cancer?

Screening of Korean medicinal plants for possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro

2008. Youn, Y. N. et. al

• Abstract: Bone loss is generally do to osteoclasts. In an experiment done with mice, 222 methonal extracts were examined. A molecule that inhibits the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation pathway was found in several.

Screening of Korean medicinal plants for possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro

2008. Youn, Y. N. et. al

Impacts: Ecological

• Converts native vegetation stands, esp. riparian habitat

• Uses lots of water• Creates dead habitat for many organisms• Modifies nutrition cycles

Plant growth regulatory effect and insecticidal activity of the extracts of the Tree of Heaven

2002. Tsao R. et. al

• Abstract: Secondary compounds of A. altissima have been said to have herbicidal and insecticidal properties. This could pose a public and ecologic health threat in many habitats.

Plant growth regulatory effect and insecticidal activity of the extracts of the Tree of Heaven

2002. Tsao R. et. al

• Conclusion: Testing on mosquito had no effect. Testing on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) showed strong inhibitory effects. These effects where increased in intense sun. This could have positive implications for a natural herbicide and insecticide (mosquitoes are different than herbivorous insects).

• Although, this also indicates that the the second trophic level capacity is reduced in those converted areas, creating a bottom up cascading effect.

• Also this could pose a threat to the agriculture of Nevada.

The role of native riparian tree species in decomposition of invasive tree of heaven leaf litter in an urban stream

2008. Swan, C. M. and Healey, B.

• Abstract: Humans rely on ecosystem services, but our activities degrade stream and river habitat. Replanting streamside vegetation is common, but does riparian tree biodiversity play a role in the effectiveness of these ecosystem services? By following the leaf litter decomposition rates of several tree species and modifying the composition of leaf litter we hope to understand this process.

The role of native riparian tree species in decomposition of invasive tree of heaven leaf litter in an urban stream

2008. Swan, C. M. and Healey, B.

• Results: Of 7 tree species • Northern Red oak• White oak• Red maple• Blackgum• Tulip poplar• Flowering dogwood• Tree of heaven

• Tree of heaven leaves decomposed the fastest, causing a delay in other leaf decomposition.

• Tree of heaven litter was able to support large numbers of shredder species.

• This could cause a shift in nutrient movement in the habitat that could change the habitat functions.

Impacts: Social

• Farmers hate it• Ornamental gardeners love it• It looks cool

Management: Assessment

• Nevada currently does not have enough assessment information to include A. altissima on the noxious invasive species list.

• Only 3 counties have been surveyed

Management: Prevention

• Unless banned in all areas in and around the US, constant monitoring and screening is required to prevent re-infestations. This can be costly and unrealistic.

• But… Monitoring of areas that have seed dispersal corridors establishment in new areas can be prevented. This too is costly but more realistic.

Management: Control and Eradication

• Manual- • Seedlings can be pulled or dug up as long as all the root

comes with it.• Removing the female plants can temporarily control

the spread and proliferation of new individuals.• Tilling could incorporate the seeds further into the soil

inducing more germination• No large animals eat it• Burning doesn’t work unless it kills the whole root

Management: Control and Eradication

• Chemical-• Works best as the plant comes out of winter dormancy• Any readily available herbicide works such as triclopyr

and imazapyr. • But these chemicals are not specific

Management: Control and Eradication

• Biocontrol-• Several members of the same genus are present in the

US and not considered a noxious invasive.• Because of the tough nature of A. altissima any pest

brought over would have a degree of lethality and could cause massive agriculture and economic problems• Although in NY some trees are being destroyed by

fungal pathogens.

Literature Cited