Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree that is native to China. It was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental tree and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in the 1980s. The tree grows up to about 25 metres tall and has smooth grey bark and large compound leaves that produce an unpleasant smell when crushed. It flowers from October to November, producing large clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers, which develop into winged seeds that can remain on the tree for long periods of time. It tolerates drought, poor soils, pollution and physical damage. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively from root suckers. Seeds are dispersed by wind. Root suckers allow the plant to form dense colonies after cutting or other disturbance.
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