Invasive plant species - tree of heaven (𝘈𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢)

Part of a series showing invasive alien or exotic species (non-native and spreading) in Europe. Tree of heaven (𝘈𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢: Simaroubaceae) is native to temperate regions of China, and was introduced into Europe in the 1740s as an ornamental plant. However, its ability to spread rapidly from root ‘suckers’ and wind-borne seeds, and its foul odor (it produces chemicals that protect it and kill other plants) meant that people soon fell out of love with it. Indeed, when it is grown as a single specimen plant it can be quite elegant and beautiful, especially when it produces bunches of red, winged fruits. However, the video deliberately shows the appearance of the plants as they are usually found, in this case infesting natural habitats and urban environments in and around Milan. For example, in an environmental recovery project on the edge of the town of Bollate, to the north-west of Milan, 𝘈. 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢 is shown competing directly against the native species hazel (𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢), common dogwood (𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢) and pendunculate oak (𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘶𝘳). The wood of the tree of heaven factures easily and is useful only for decorative items such as bowls.
𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁: the English name ‘Tree of Heaven’, and the latin name ‘altissima’ refers to its tall stature, growing rapidly straight up towards heaven. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁: the English name ‘Tree of Hell’ is often used by conservationists, in reference to its ability to dominate natural habitats and exclude native species.
𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁: tree of heaven can be brought under control using repeated application of herbicides. 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁: if you’re going to buy herbicide, make sure you have LOTS of cash! Then pray the seeds don’t simply arrive on the wind again. Good luck!
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱.
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗿-𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲:
Guo, W.-Y., van Kleunen, M., Pierce, S., et al. (2019) Domestic gardens play a dominant role in selecting alien species with adaptive strategies that facilitate naturalization. Global Ecology & Biogeography, 28: 628-639. doi.org/10.111...
Guo, K., Pyšek, P., Chytrý, M., Divíšek, J., Lososová, Z., van Kleunen, M., Pierce, S., & Guo, W-Y (2022) Ruderals naturalize, competitors invade: Varying roles of plant adaptive strategies along the invasion continuum. Functional Ecology, 36: 2469-2479. doi.org/10.111...
Guo, K., Pyšek, P., van Kleunen, Kinlock, M., N.L., Lučanová, M., Leitch, I.J., Pierce, S., et al. (2024) Plant invasion and naturalization are influenced by genome size, ecology and economic use globally. Nature Communications, 15: 1330. doi.org/10.103...
Guo, K., Pyšek, P., Chytrý, M., Divíšek, J., Sychrová, M., Lososová, Z., van Kleunen, M., Pierce, S. & Guo W.-Y. (2024) Stage dependence of Elton’s biotic resistance hypothesis of biological invasions. Nature Plants. doi.org/10.103...
Heisey RM. (1990) Evidence for allelopathy by tree-of-heaven (𝘈𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢). J Chem Ecol. 16(6):2039-55. link.springer....