tree of heaven

American  

noun

1. an Asiatic tree, Ailanthus altissima, having large oblong leaves and rank-smelling flowers, often planted as a shade tree.

---

tree of heaven British  

noun

1. another name for ailanthus

---

Etymology

Origin of tree of heaven

First recorded in 1835–45

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tree of heaven

Not so surprising, given that Johnson has also found evidence that spotted lanternflies can sequester foul-tasting compounds called quassinoids from tree of heaven, with which they evolved.

From National Geographic ● Aug. 31, 2023

But if New Yorkers can’t check the lanternfly, there’s a silver lining: they feed on the tree of heaven, a tough, stinky invader with which city-dwellers have a love-hate relationship.

From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2022

Airborne DNA also revealed tree of heaven, an invasive plant not detected by the survey.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 30, 2021

Mills emphasized that the spotted lantern fly’s favorite tree is the tree of heaven, which is an invasive tree native to China.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 13, 2021

As the buds on the trees turn to flowers, she raises her black eyebrows in surprise above her wide blue eyes and declares: bougainvillea, hibiscus, why, tree of heaven!

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---