Weir Farm National Historic Site - Tree-of-Heaven

Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a deciduous tree with smooth, pale gray bark. The large,compound leaves composed of 11-25 leaflets are arranged alternately along the stem and have a distinctive odor(burnt peanut butter). Ailanthus produces small, yellowish green flowers that appear near the tips of the branches.

Tree-of-heaven grows rapidly and produces large amounts of seeds (one tree can produce up to 325,000 seeds per year). Seeds are dispersed by wind and quickly establish themselves, outcompeting native vegetation for sunlight and space. The root system is capable of damaging sewers and foundations.