Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Removal - Ask Extension
Hello, is there any sort of government initiatives or resources for removal of Ailanthus altissima from neighborhoods? This tree has invested the thre...
Knowledgebase
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Removal #876094
Asked July 06, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
Hello, is there any sort of government initiatives or resources for removal of Ailanthus altissima from neighborhoods? This tree has invested the three yards that are that boarder my yard, and it is an annual effort on my part to pull the sporting seeds and shoots from my yard. The root system from my neighbor's yard reach into the crawl space below my home and cause the tree to grow inside my crawl space in the dark, even growing through a plastic tarp that covers the ground in my crawlspace. Thank you for any info you can share.
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
You're right that Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is both invasive and hard to get rid of; it will take some persistence on your part - particularly because your property is surrounded by it.
Tree of Heaven is on the CO Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed List and they have good information and photos on their website plus a fact sheet that details cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical strategies for removal. That's the best place for you to start. Here's the link:
https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/noxious-weed-species-id/tree-of-heaven
You might want to contact them to report the infestation in your neighborhood and talk to them about remedies.
