TL;DR
A House Beautiful report cites two specialists who warn that cutting down tree of heaven alone can trigger new shoots from its roots. They describe stump treatments and repeated cutting as possible control methods, while stressing that identification and the effect on nearby soil and planting plans matter.
A House Beautiful report featuring a certified arborist and a horticulturist says cutting down tree of heaven may prompt new shoots rather than remove the plant, and outlines several ways property owners can attempt to control it. The advice matters because the invasive tree can spread quickly, displace other plants and, according to the report, damage pipes or hardscaping when its roots reach them.
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Tree of heaven, or Ailanthus altissima, is native to China and has spread across the United States. Certified arborist Logan Foltz, of Urban Arborists, describes it as a tree that can outcompete North American species and is difficult to control. Horticulturist and organic farmer Nathan Heinrich says its ability to grow in varied climates and locations helped it spread from the East Coast to California. The report says it can grow as much as 15 feet in its first year.
One reason removal can be difficult is the tree’s response to damage. Foltz says cutting the trunk or damaging the root system can lead it to send up suckers from its roots, which may develop into new trees. He describes cutting the tree near the base, drilling holes in the stump and filling them with rock salt as one control approach. He warns that salt can make the surrounding soil unsuitable for new plantings.
Heinrich recommends carrying out that approach in July and August, according to the report, and offers repeated herbicide applications into drilled holes or cuts in the stump as an alternative. Another option he describes is repeatedly cutting back growth to deplete the plant’s energy reserves. The report does not provide a product, dosage or treatment schedule for herbicide use, and these methods should not be treated as a guaranteed result.
Risks to Gardens and Infrastructure
Tree of heaven can affect more than the spot where it grows. The report says its seeds can germinate in places such as sidewalk cracks and gutters, while its root system may extend up to 50 feet from the trunk. Roots seeking water can threaten nearby pipes and hardscaping, according to the article. The tree’s ability to produce many seeds and regrow after cutting can also complicate efforts to keep it from spreading into neighboring areas.
The report also identifies the tree as a host plant for the spotted lanternfly, citing the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That connection gives removal decisions a wider ecological dimension, although the article does not quantify the impact of any particular tree on local pest populations. Property owners may need to weigh control against soil effects and the value of established trees before choosing a method.
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Identifying the Tree Before Removal
Correct identification matters because some native trees can look similar. The report describes tree of heaven as having a slim but sturdy trunk and long, fern-like leaves, with glandular teeth at the base of each leaflet. Female trees may produce clusters of red, yellow or green seeds. It cautions that black walnut and some sumac varieties share physical features, so appearance alone can lead to mistakes.
Foltz says newly sprouting trees are generally candidates for removal, but he does not recommend treating every mature specimen as an automatic removal. He advises considering its overall ecological impact and whether a native planting would better serve the area. The report presents this as a judgment for the property and its surroundings, rather than a universal rule.
“If the root system is damaged or the trunk is cut, the tree will respond by sending up suckers from the roots that will grow into new full-size trees.”
— Logan Foltz, certified arborist at Urban Arborists, as quoted by House Beautiful
Treatment Results Depend on Conditions
The report does not say how often the suggested treatments succeed, how long they take, or whether they work equally well on trees of different sizes. It also does not supply local rules, detailed herbicide instructions or an assessment of a specific property’s soil and nearby plants. The extent of any pipe or hardscape risk depends on the tree’s location and conditions; the article gives no case-specific inspection findings.
Identification can also be uncertain when lookalike native species are present. The report advises confirming which tree is growing before acting, but does not describe a formal identification service or provide region-specific guidance. Its recommendations are expert comments in a gardening report, not a guarantee that a particular method will eradicate a tree.
Confirm the Species and Plan Control
For a property owner, the next step is to confirm the tree’s identity and consider its size, location, nearby infrastructure and desired future planting. Where identification or control is uncertain, an arborist or local invasive-species authority can help assess the site and applicable guidance. If using herbicide, follow the product label and any local requirements; the source report does not name a product or provide application instructions.
After any removal attempt, owners should watch for new shoots from the roots and reassess the area rather than assuming that cutting the trunk ended the problem. The report offers no scheduled follow-up program or official announcement of new control guidance, so the next developments will depend on local observations and advice from qualified specialists.
Key Questions
Why may cutting down tree of heaven make it grow back?
Arborist Logan Foltz says damage to the trunk or roots can cause the tree to send up root suckers that may grow into new trees.
What removal methods do the experts describe?
The report describes drilling holes in a cut stump and filling them with rock salt, applying repeated rounds of herbicide to stump holes or cuts, and repeatedly cutting back growth to deplete the roots’ energy reserves. These are reported suggestions, not guaranteed treatments.
Can rock salt affect other plants?
Yes. Foltz warns that rock salt can make the soil around the stump inhospitable to new plantings, so the method may not suit an area where the owner wants to grow other plants.
How can someone distinguish tree of heaven from similar trees?
The report points to fern-like leaves with glandular teeth at the base and possible seed clusters, while warning that black walnut and some sumac can look similar. Confirm the identification before removal.
Source: rss
