Tree of heaven (Not recommended) | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Quassia
Family (botanic) Simaroubaceae
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 40-60 feet
Mature width 35-60 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought, Occasional flooding, Road salt, Wet sites
Season of interest late summer
Flower color and fragrance Other
Shape or form Thicket-forming, Upright
Growth rate Fast
Transplants well Yes
Planting considerations Excessive sucker growth
Wildlife Insect pollinators
Has cultivars Yes

Native geographic location and habitat:

Tree of heaven is native to China.

Bark color and texture:

The gray bark is relatively smooth, but marked with long, thin, lighter colored streaks.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Alternate, compound leaves up to 2 feet long have up to 25 leaflets per leaf. Leaflets are ovate with two to four prominent teeth at the base.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Male and female flowers generally on separate trees (dioecious). Male flowers produce a bad odor while female flowers produce no odor. Numerous tiny flowers in long clusters (usually longer than one foot), in late spring or early summer.