Pollinator plant

tree-of-heaven

Ailanthus altissima

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Common names

67 names · 41 languages
EnglishYour language
+9 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (40)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • أيلنط باسق[4]
  • سماق صيني[4]
Armenian
  • Այլանթ բարձրաբուն[4]
Bosnian
  • Žljezdasti pajasen[4]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Pajasen[4]
  • Žljezdasti pajasen[4]
Czech
  • pajasan žláznatý[4]
Danish
  • Skyrækker[4]
Estonian
  • näärmeline jumalapuu[4]
Finnish
  • haisujumaltenpuu[4]
  • Jumaltenpuu[4]
Galician
  • Árbore do ceo[4]
German
Greek
  • Αείλανθος ο υψηλότατος[4]
  • Βρωμοκαρυδιά[4]
Hebrew
  • איילנתה בלוטית[4]
Hungarian
  • Mirigyes bálványfa[4]
Italian
Japanese
  • シンジュ[4]
  • ニワウルシ[4]
  • 庭漆[4]
Kazakh
  • Айлант[4]
Korean
  • 가죽나무[4]
  • 가중나무[4]
Kurdish
Lithuanian
  • Aukštasis ailantas[4]
Manx
  • Billey niau[4]
Navajo
  • T’iis Nattói[4]
Neapolitan
  • Cazzipocchio[4]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Bożodrzew gruczołowaty[4]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Cenușer, Cenușar, Falsul otetar[4]
Russian
  • Айлант высочайший[4]
Slovak
  • pajaseň žliazkatý[4]
Slovenian
  • veliki pajesen[4]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Kokar ağaç[4]
Ukrainian
  • Айлант найвищий[4]
Vietnamese
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Ailanthus altissima — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Tree-of-Heaven — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailanthus — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Paradise-tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Tree of Heaven — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Ailanthus altissima.
  • White Snakeroot — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Ailanthus altissima.
[2] Ailanthus altissima — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • tree-of-heaven — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Götterbaum — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Chinese Sumac — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Copal Tree — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ghetto Palm — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • stink tree — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Stinking Cedar — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • stinktree — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Tree of heaven — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Varnish Tree — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailanto — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Árbol del cielo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailante glanduleux — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Albero del paradiso — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Hemelboom — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailanto — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Cheira-mal — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Espanta-lobos — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Ailanthus altissima ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Tree-of-heaven (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 173256; taxon BCBF.
  • Drüsiger Götterbaum (DE); Arbol del cielo (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 173255; taxon BCBF.
[4] Ailanthus altissima — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • tree-of-heaven — results[21].names[0]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Götterbaum — results[21].names[5]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Chinese Sumac — results[21].names[48]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Copal Tree — results[21].names[49]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ghetto Palm — results[21].names[37]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • stink tree — results[21].names[17]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Stinking Cedar — results[21].names[50]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • stinktree — results[21].names[16]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Tree of heaven — results[21].names[6]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Varnish Tree — results[21].names[51]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailanto — results[21].names[9]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Árbol del cielo — results[21].names[2]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailante glanduleux — results[21].names[4]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Albero del paradiso — results[21].names[8]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Hemelboom — results[21].names[20]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Ailanto — results[21].names[11]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Cheira-mal — results[21].names[12]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Espanta-lobos — results[21].names[10]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • ailant — results[21].names[3]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • ニワウルシ — results[21].names[13]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Cenușer, Cenușar, Falsul otetar — results[21].names[14]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • pajasan žláznatý — results[21].names[15]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 臭椿 — results[21].names[18]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Skyrækker — results[21].names[19]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Այլանթ բարձրաբուն — results[21].names[21]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Cazzipocchio — results[21].names[22]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Айлант высочайший — results[21].names[23]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Gudaträd — results[21].names[24]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Айлант найвищий — results[21].names[25]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Xú xuân — results[21].names[26]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Айлант — results[21].names[27]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Žljezdasti pajasen — results[21].names[28]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Billey niau — results[21].names[29]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Jumaltenpuu — results[21].names[30]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Αείλανθος ο υψηλότατος — results[21].names[31]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Mirigyes bálványfa — results[21].names[32]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Árbore do ceo — results[21].names[33]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Pajasen — results[21].names[34]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 가죽나무 — results[21].names[35]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • gudetre — results[21].names[36]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 臭椿 — results[21].names[38]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • haisujumaltenpuu — results[21].names[39]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Bożodrzew gruczołowaty — results[21].names[40]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 庭漆 — results[21].names[41]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • シンジュ — results[21].names[42]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • näärmeline jumalapuu — results[21].names[43]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Hemelboom — results[21].names[44]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • איילנתה בלוטית — results[21].names[45]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 臭椿属 — results[21].names[46]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 臭椿屬 — results[21].names[47]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • veliki pajesen — results[21].names[52]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • T’iis Nattói — results[21].names[53]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Aukštasis ailantas — results[21].names[54]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • أيلنط باسق — results[21].names[55]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • سماق صيني — results[21].names[56]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Kokar ağaç — results[21].names[57]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Βρωμοκαρυδιά — results[21].names[58]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • Žljezdasti pajasen — results[21].names[59]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • pajaseň žliazkatý — results[21].names[60]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 樗 — results[21].names[61]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • 가중나무 — results[21].names[62]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
  • بەوز — results[21].names[63]; taxon id 57278; Ailanthus altissima.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Ailanthus altissima is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Simaroubaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
12.19–18.29 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
4.57–9.14 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
China, Taiwan.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a tree. It flowers from June to July.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Ailanthus altissima — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4226706; ID BCBF; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4226706; ID BCBF; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Ailanthus altissima — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering season
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Ailanthus altissima — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 694369; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1146269, 1146270, 1146271, 1146272, 1146273, 1146274, 1146275, 1146279

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.