Knowledgebase

Local Partnerships to prevent spread of trees of heaven and lanternflies #880064

Asked August 03, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT

To your knowledge, what efforts are occurring in Maryland to prevent the spread of these very invasive species from completely overwhelming our state? I’m especially interested in learning about what is working well and how to get involved at a larger scale, collective approach.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Ailanthus or Tree of Heaven has been present and growing all around the mid-Atlantic region for ages. (The classic A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was that species). People are just becoming more aware of it since the arrival of the Spotted Lanternfly, which prefers it as a host plant.
Here is our page on Tree of Heaven: 
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs099/
and Spotted Lanternfly: 
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/
It's important to know how to differentiate Tree of Heaven from several good native trees that look similar, such as Sumac, and Black Walnut. (The easiest way is to pick a leaf, crush it and smell it. If it smells like peanut butter, it is Tree of Heaven).

You can learn more and get involved to help locally through the Montgomery County Weed Warriors program:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/montgomery-county-parks-weed-warriors-program-has-record-breaking-year/


Christine
Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 05, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT

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