Tree of heaven – AILANTHUS – the Junk Yard Dog of Trees

Easy to hate, but very easy to Love. The Ailanthus is a rough tree to kill and is probably why it is considered a weed.  They spread fast.  However, back in the day they were considered ornamental trees. But things change. In New York, this type of tree had for decades been the centerpiece of the sculpture garden

The Tree of Heaven Nature’s Gardening Clock

The Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is admittedly a very tricky tree to maintain.  We have been maintaining our for many years now.  I have to say, it loves to create seedlings.  The Tree has a long Philadelphia connection.  From http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/ailalt/all.html Sprouts from the first tree-of-heaven in North America, planted in Philadelphia’s Bartram Botanical Garden 1784,