Tree of Heaven

The Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a fast-growing and dioecious import from China. Here we see the female laden with samaras.


I really like that little twist on the end of each samara.


Each leaflet in the compound leaf has a tooth.


Back on April Fool's Day, I misdentified a Tree of Heaven as Staghorn Sumac. That post is now corrected and I think I might know where to find a real Staghorn Sumac. More on that later.


Oh, and to wrap up the sticky burr saga, I asked my brother about this. He also thought this was the sticky bird but ever quick-witted Jim immediately came to the conclusion that some fifty years ago I initially got it wrong and then passed it on to him.

Tree of Heaven

This is the largest Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, that I've seen around the lake. It dominates an area with many smaller specimens. It a beauty, isn't it? I've walked many a time by the these trees, never knowing them by name but surely appreciating their beauty. There will indeed be much more to see throughout the seasons.
























Here's a gall I ran across last weekend. I think it's on some kind of oak (possibly pin) and I'll need to follow up during another visit. I was surprised by the wall thickness and the texture seems to indicate a heavy strong material but each gall is really quite light. I do still wonder how the wasp makes its way out. I need a good gall book...