What is a Tree of Heaven?
Tree of Heaven or Ailanthus altissima is a deciduous tree native to the temperate regions of China. It is also known as Ailanthus or stinking sumac, and it can be found widely all over the world, thanks to gardeners who introduced it to a number of regions in the 1700s. Most gardeners today consider the Tree of Heaven to be a pest, and many regions have eradication programs which are designed to stamp out Ailanthus in their areas. There are a number of reasons why Tree of Heaven is viewed as so irritating by many gardeners. For one thing, the tree is extremely fast growing, capable of establishing an extensive and strong root system quite rapidly. Ailanthus is also incredibly opportunistic, spreading wherever it can with the use of suckers and scattered seeds, and it can quickly take over an area if it is not put in check. The Tree of Heaven is also astoundingly smelly, with a sharp, strong odor which some people find extremely unpleasant, and in urban areas the roots can tear up sidew
