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Weed Identification in Christmas Trees

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Tree-of-heaven - Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
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Tree-of-heaven glands
Tree-of-heaven glands.
Tree-of-heaven sapling
Tree-of-heaven sapling.
Tree-of-heaven tree
Tree-of-heaven weedy habit.
Life cycle: Fast-growing, weedy tree.

Leaves
: Alternate, pinnately compound with 11 to 41 leaflets, approaching 36 inches long. Leaflets are spear-shaped, 2 to 6 inches long, dark green above and pale green below. Leaf margins are smooth except for one to a few coarse teeth near the base; each tooth has a large gland beneath. Damaged leaves emit an unpleasant odor.

Stems
: A small to medium-sized tree, reaching up to 80 feet in height, although 40 feet is more common. Twigs are stout, yellowish to reddish brown and either smooth or downy. Bark is thin, smooth and pale to dark gray. Damaged stems emit an unpleasant odor.

Flowers and fruit
: Small, green to yellow flowers are produced in terminal clusters. Fruit are single-seeded, 1.5-inch-long, winged samaras found in crowded clusters.

Reproduction:
Seeds and prolific vegetative sprouts.
Tree-of-heaven leaf
Tree-of-heaven leaf.
The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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02/08/08