Tree of heaven in Ohio: is it illegal, and how do you get rid of it?

Short answer: yes, tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a listed invasive plant in Ohio, so it can’t be sold or planted for sale. You can keep or remove one already on your land; removal takes herbicide and follow-up, not just a chainsaw.

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What Ohio law says

Ohio’s invasive plant rule, OAC 901:5-30-01, lists tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The rule says no person shall sell, offer for sale, propagate, distribute, import or intentionally cause the dissemination of a listed plant in Ohio. It allows you to dispose of and control the plant as long as you don’t spread it. The rule does not contain a requirement to remove plants already growing on your property. The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s list took effect January 7, 2018 (OIPC summary).

Tree of heaven is not on Ohio’s separate prohibited noxious weed list (OAC 901:5-37-01), so the township cut-or-destroy notice for noxious weeds doesn’t apply to it.

How to identify it

Per the Ohio Invasive Plants Council fact sheet: compound leaves with 11–41 leaflets, each leaflet smooth-edged except one or more glandular teeth at the base; light chestnut-brown twigs; flat, twisted winged seeds on female trees; and a “burned nut” or “rancid peanut butter” smell from crushed leaves. Young plants look like sumac or black walnut, which don’t have that odor.

It is also a primary host of spotted lanternfly (Erie MetroParks).

How to remove it

OIPC says young seedlings can be pulled or dug, roots and all, ideally when the soil is moist. Cutting alone is usually counter-productive: the tree answers with stump sprouts and root suckers. Selective herbicide (foliar, cut-stem, hack-and-squirt or basal bark) is the most effective control. OSU Extension (F-65) says to monitor treated trees for at least two years, and seeds can stay viable in the soil more than five years. Follow the herbicide label.

What to plant instead

Native trees and shrubs we list for Ohio: staghorn sumac, smooth sumac and hoptree. See native swaps for tree of heaven in Ohio and the official listing details.

Common questions

Is tree of heaven illegal in Ohio?

It is on Ohio’s invasive plant list (OAC 901:5-30-01), which bans selling, offering for sale, propagating, distributing and importing it. The rule does not require removing trees already growing.

Should I cut down tree of heaven?

Cutting alone usually backfires: the Ohio Invasive Plants Council says it responds with stump sprouts and root suckers. Herbicide treatment with follow-up is the effective method.

More Ohio guides

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