I know this isn't a native plant to my region (northeast US), but being able to identify and dispose of invasives is a significant part of the battle in native plant gardening, and I want to express my gratitude to you for all the info I've learned in this community.
I saw this tree back in the woods, and thanks to all you knowledgeable folks, I'm positive it's tree of heaven. Proud to be able to ID the tree, devastated at the results.
✅ Terminal leaflets
✅ Mittens leaves
✅ Horrible rancid peanut butter smell
✅ Cantaloupe bark
✅ Contained spotted lantern flies
Wish me luck in getting rid of it!
by WutRUDoinInMaSwamp
6 Comments
You can do it. From the moment you chose your username, it’s all been leading you to this.
I recently asked someone who works for the DCNR, and without explicitly saying yes, the consensus seems to be a foliar application of triclopyr in the fall, when the plant is pulling nutrients from it’s leaves, is the safest/most effective. I have never used herbicide in my life but I plan to do that this year (also for bush honeysuckles and autumn olive). It’s really the only logical option unfortunately
I’ve seen people saying that pure copper nails in the trunk also kill it – so if you can find actual pure copper nails to stick into it that might help it die quicker
And Japanese stiltgrass🥳/s
what’s it doing in your swamp???
I want to add that “Contained spotted lantern flies” is not a sufficient criteria to ID Tree of Heaven as they also favor the similar looking Black Walnut.
If the edges of the leaves are serrated (have teeth), it’s not Tree of Heaven, whose edges are smooth. All of our native compound leaf trees have serrated edges.