Ailanthus altissima

Found: in waste places throughout our area. The tree is a native of China and is considered in some areas to be a weed tree.

Height: ranges from 6.1 to 30.5 meters (20-100 feet)

Leaves: large compound leaves. Each leaflet has a tooth near the base that contains a gland, making it easily identifiable.

Uses: Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have found that the Tree of Heaven has several antimalarial compounds, of which 5 are more potent than chloroquine, the standard antimalarial drug at present. The tree is also used in several traditional Chinese remedies.