May 4, 2001

Maryland State Highway Administration
Office of Environmental Design

Ailanthus altissima: SPRAY

Ailanthus is also called "Tree of Heaven", "Shumac" and "Chinese Sumac". It is an aggressive and invasive tree that is native to China. It was brought 60 this country in the 1700's and has become a serious plant pest because it colonizes areas extremely quickly and crowds out native plants. Ailanthus trees grow rapidly and can reach a height of over 60 feet Ailanthus trees spread by seeds and underground roots called rhizomes. Cutting an Ailanthus tree will cause it to Bend up numerous shoots from the stump and from the underground rhizomes. Herbicides meat be need to control this species.

• Edges of leaves are smooth with 1 or 2 teeth at base.

The following 5 bullets are incomplete due to overlap in picture

• Tree has . . . fall color . . . last long.
• Strong, . . . odor from . . . stems.
• Twisted . . . green or . . . summer . . . twisted . . . fall . . . Seed . . . on tree
• Mature . . . smooth
• Shield

(two photos of this plant)

Maryland State Highway Administration
Office of Environmental Design

Sumac: DO NOT SPRAY

There are several species of Sumac trees that are found in Maryland Sumac is often confused with Ailanthus, but they are not the acme and are not even related The Sumac is a desirable native tree flat has more ornamental value than Ailanthus. It is important to be aware of the preserve of Sumac Trees and be sere to avoid spraying or tatting Sumac when managing for Ailanthus.

• Can have large clusters of red seeds called a "Staghorn".
• Can have fuzzy twigs and stems.
• Orange or red fall color that can last for weeks.
• Leaves have small teeth along edge.
• Horseshoe shaped leaf scars.

(two photos of this plant)

Ben Hall, Landscape: 1-800-46-5962:
Operations Division: 410-545-8583

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