Tree of heaven

North West Weeds
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Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a native of eastern Asia. It was recorded in Australia at Camden Park NSW in 1845 and at Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide Botanic Gardens during the 1850s. Further introductions of tree of heaven into other parts of Australia were made by Chinese gold miners during the 1860s.

Tree of heaven can become a very invasive plant. It is spread by seed and by root pieces and is not easy plant to kill because of its deep taproots and maze of lateral roots. According to the excellent reference book Noxious Plants of Australia by Parsons and Cuthbertson (Inkata Press), both the bark and the leaves are thought to be toxic to animals:

"Stock feed on the lower leaves, and sheep poisoning in New South Wales is suspected, but not confirmed. Direct contact with the plant, particularly when flowering, causes dermatitis in some people and it is claimed that drinking water contaminated with fallen flowers results in dermatitis and gastritis. Honey produced from the flowers has a disagreeable flavour which is lost if it is kept for a few months"

Noxious Plants of Australia also points out that the plant has many uses in China including fuel, furniture and kitchen utensils, and traditional Chinese medicines...

CONTROL METHODS

According to NSW Department of Primary Industries’ excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook 3rd Edition”, treatments for tree of heaven include:

Non-Chemical Options: Mechanical removal of mature trees (unless wet) will cause suckering from broken roots (in other words, the ground has to be wet enough to allow all parts of the plant to come out of the ground);

Chemical options	Rate: Spot/Boom	Comments
Triclopyr 600 g/L Various trade names eg Garlon 600®	1 L in 60 L of diesel	Basal/bark, cut-stump application.
2.4-D + Picloram 300 g/L + 75 g/L+ eg Tordon 75 D®	650 ml in 100 L water	Apply at full leaf. Also see cut-stump/basal-bark section.
Triclopyr + Picloram 240 g/L + 120g/L eg Access®	1 L in 60 L of diesel	Basal/bark, cut-stump application. Dormant species - not to be treated during winter
Metsulfuron methyl 63.2 g/kg + glyphosate 760.5 g/kg Cut-Out®	1 measured pack (95 g) in 100 L of water	Apply when leaves are in full leaf and actively growing; ensure all daughter plants are treated. Nov to January.
Metsulfuron methyl 600 g/L (eg Brushoff® + Glyphosate 360g /L Various trade names	10 g metsulfuron methyl plus 200 ml glyphosate in 100 L of water	Apply to actively growing trees to point of run-off. Ensure all daughter plants are controlled.
Hexazinone 250 g/L Various trade names eg Velpar L®	4 ml per spot, one spot per metre of height	For use on bushes up to 3m tall. Do not apply near desirable trees.
Metsulfuron methyl 600 g/L Various trade names eg Brushoff®	10 g in 100 L water.	Apply to actively growing trees. Avoid spraying when stressed, when leaf fall has commenced, or after the end of January
Picloram 45 g/kg Vigilant®	Undiluted	Cut stump/stem injection application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm (see label).

IMPORTANT: USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations.

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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 17/10/2006

Send mail to lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2007-2008 Last modified: 25/11/07 - L R Tanner

Send mail to lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007-2008 Last modified: 25/11/07 - L R Tanner