We live in Eastern PA. This tree has sprouted at the corner of our yard on a hill, and has gotten to be about 8-10 feet tall just since the spring. We first thought it was a thrifty weed, but has since turned into a tree. And upon further investigation, (our backyard is just a giant hill and we're right at the bottom of it) there are LOADS of these trees along the wood line at the top of the hill. There are a few in particular up at the top of the hill that appear to be 40-50 feet tall. They're as high as the oaks that are up there. They have all been very fast growing, although the bigger ones were there last year. They have very long compound leaves with upwards of 20 leaves on one "branch" at a time pointed edges, not super shiny leaves, and many of them have sprouted some brown cone-shaped fruit on them. The closest I can seem to get to identification is a Sumac, and possibly the Shiny Sumac, but the height seems to great.
I believe it is Ailanthus altissima. Common name tree of heaven. This link shows a tiny pimple on the leaflet that is a gland. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=Ai...tart=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=97&ty=69 This tree can be a real problem as it suckers. They grow huge, very quickly... as you have already found out.
Hmm, ain't those cone-like year-old inflorescences in the 2nd picture more like those of sumac: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0710+1622 I did not see those things in Ailanthus pictures. The 1st and 3rd photos, though, could be of Ailanthus - here, we have both species interspersed around neighborhoods.
So, now I'm wondering if I have been looking at 2 different trees and thinking they were all the same kind. The picture of the one with the "cone" fruits is one farther back on our hill. The one at the corner of my yard doesn't have them, and I just assumed it would bloom later. I don't remember any sort of flowers on it yet, but I'll watch for some. Perhaps that's just because it's young. Could either of these trees take until the second year to bloom and produce fruit? I wish I could post a few more pictures of this specific tree...
I think I figured out how. The first is another shot of the leaves. Second is the bark. Third is a row of trees along the wood line on the hill that I think are the same as this one. They also do not appear to have the "cone" fruit either.
Yep I agree. This can actually get away inplaces in the mountains of California and take over. Chinese brought it over with them. Has the same cloning ability to form woodland habitat as Quaking Aspen.
Here you can find discussion about the difference between the two species: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/natives/msg092050343908.html Try to pluck leaflets from different locations, where you took the pictures, and compare them side by side.
They are super aggressive plants - in the vegetative struggle for sun and space the roots tree of heaven alter the chemistry of the soil and kill the competition.
Yes, you've got both Sumac and Tree of Heaven as evidenced by the fruit and leaf glands respectively.
Ok! Well, at least the mystery is solved. Should I now chop down the Tree of Heaven in my yard's corner? That thing sprouted so quickly! Is it recommended that I remove it and any others that should travel closer than the wood's edge?
GET Professional advice re removal of roots. A suburban neighbor had to spend 5k or more on getting these roots out of her plumbing after they encroached from a neighbor's yard.
good luck. Believe it or not it was planted as a street tree in Palo Alto - by both the city and the us postal service and caltrain. a real mess.
