Ailanthus altissima

Common Name: 
tree-of-Heaven, tree-that-grows-in-Brooklyn
Scientific Name: 
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Family Name: 
Simaroubaceae - Quassia Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced perennial tree, reproducing by seed and root suckers
Stems
woody, upright; bark smooth and light gray
Seedlings of Tree-of-Heaven
Young Plant of Tree-of-Heaven
Leaves
alternate, pinnately compound; leaflets oval lanceolate, 11 to 27 or more, pointed, bases square with 1-2 teeth
Leaves of Tree-of-Heaven
Flowers
greenish to greenish-yellow flowers, pyramidal cluster, dioecious
Fruit
samaras (winged seeds), twisted, single seeded, yellow-green become brown in winter