Simaroubaceae > Ailanthus (Tree-of-heaven)
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
29 July 2008
Noxious invasive weed from eastern Asia, Tree-of-heaven is common statewide in NC in a variety of habitats. Given an opportunity, these trees should be cut down and removed from your property for the good of the native vegetation!
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
29 July 2008
Flowering in early summer, the winged fruits (samaras) develop in late summer becoming yellow, then pinkish, and ultimately tan and papery by late fall.
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
29 July 2008
Leaves are large, compound, and smell like rotten peanut butter when crushed.
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
9 Sep 2010
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
24 June 2009
Sapling
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
24 June 2009
Near the base of each leaflet are a few gland-tipped teeth. The leaflets are otherwise toothless and elongated.
Edge of woods in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC
270Dec 2009
Pith of older twigs is peanut butter colored.
Edge of woods in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC
270Dec 2009
Bud scar detail
Edge of woods in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC
270Dec 2009
Mature papery fruits.
Edge of woods in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC
270Dec 2009
Messy clusters of fruits litter the leafless trees in winter.
Edge of woods under powerline in Orange Co., NC
29 July 2008
Bark of young trees has light, distinct lenticels.
Edge of woods in Chapel Hill, Orange Co., NC
270Dec 2009
Lenticels become less distinct on older bark.
Duke Gardens, Durham Co., NC
17 Oct 2007
Widespread and common in NC, this day-flying moth is often mistaken for a beetle due its colorful nature and habit of visiting flowers. It's named for its primary caterpillar food plant, Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), in which the caterpillars live communally in tents/webs and eat the leaves.