How to Identify Tree of Heaven in Your Connecticut Yard (and Why Professional Removal Is Necessary)

If you’ve noticed more spotted lanternflies around your Fairfield or New Haven County property this year, you’re not alone. Homeowners are reporting dramatic increases in these destructive pests, and recent genomic research confirms what local arborists have been warning about: we’re creating the perfect conditions for spotted lanternfly populations to explode. The primary culprit? Tree of heaven — an invasive species that not only attracts these pests but also damages your property with aggressive roots that crack foundations and driveways.

If that fast-growing tree near your fence line shot up several feet in a single season, you’ve probably found the source of your spotted lanternfly problem. Proper identification is straightforward once you know what to look for, and professional removal protects both your property and helps control Connecticut’s growing spotted lanternfly invasion.

Key Takeaways

• You can identify tree of heaven by the glandular teeth (bumps) at the base of each leaflet and the distinctive “rotten peanut butter” smell when leaves are crushed.
• Tree of heaven is the preferred host for spotted lanternfly, and Connecticut’s quarantine counties (Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New London) are seeing rapid spread of both these invasive species.
• This invasive tree damages foundations, driveways, and underground utilities with aggressive shallow roots, and produces chemicals that kill nearby plants.
• Removal is extremely difficult — cutting without proper herbicide treatment causes dozens of root suckers to emerge, requiring 3-5 years of professional follow-up to fully eradicate.

How Do You Identify Tree of Heaven in Connecticut?

Tree of heaven is much easier to identify when you focus on a few standout traits, not every detail at once. You don’t need to memorize them all — just look for a combination of these signs.

Start with the Leaves

• Very Large Compound Leaves: Leaves are often 1 to 4 feet long, made up of many smaller leaflets along a central stem.
• Smooth-Edged Leaflets: Leaflets have smooth margins, unlike native sumac or walnut, which have serrated edges.
• Grandular Bumps at Leaflet Base: One or two tiny glandular bumps where the leaflet meets the stem (this is the most reliable ID feature)

Check the Smell

• Unpleasant Odor When Crushing a Leaf: Tree of heaven gives off a strong, unpleasant odor that is commonly described as rotten peanut butter, burnt peanuts, or cat urine.

Look at the Bark and Branches

• Smooth Gray Bark on Young Trees: Younger trees have light gray-brown bark that appears smooth or slightly waxy.
• Spongy Brown Pith Inside Twigs: Broken twigs reveal a soft, brown, spongy interior.
• Heart- or V-shaped Leaf Scars: Where leaves attach to twigs, the scars form a heart or V shape.

Look for Seeds (Late Summer Through Winter)

• Winged Seed Clusters (Samaras): Helicopter-like seeds form in large clusters.
• Persistent Seeds in Fall and Winter: Tan to orange-brown samaras often remain after leaves drop, making winter identification easier.

Notice How Fast It’s Growing

• Extremely Fast Growth: Tree of heaven commonly grows 6–8 feet in its first year and can reach 80–100 feet tall, even in poor soil.

What Does Tree of Heaven Look Like Compared to Native Connecticut Trees?

The three most common misidentifications all involve compound leaves in these Connecticut trees:

• Native staghorn sumac
• Black walnut
• Tree of heaven

And the consequences of mixing them up are serious: you might remove a beneficial native tree that supports local wildlife, or worse, ignore an invasive species that’s damaging your property and attracting spotted lanternflies.

For a more detailed comparison:

Feature	Tree of Heaven	Staghorn Sumac (Native)	Black Walnut (Native)
Height	80-100 feet	10-30 feet	50-75 feet
Leaf Length	1-4 feet	1-2 feet	12-24 inches
Leaflet Edges	Smooth	Serrated/toothed	Serrated/toothed
Leaflet Base	1-2 glandular teeth (bumps)	No bumps	No bumps
Smell When Crushed	Rancid peanut butter/cat urine	Pleasant or neutral	Walnut scent
Bark	Gray-brown, cantaloupe-like	Smooth gray-brown	Dark brown, deeply furrowed
Fruit	Hanging twisted samaras (tan/orange)	Upright fuzzy red clusters	Round walnuts
Twig Interior	Solid spongy brown pith	Solid pith	Chambered pith
Twigs	Smooth	Velvety/hairy	Smooth
Fall Color	Minimal (stays green late)	Brilliant orange-red	Yellow

Why Is Tree of Heaven Dangerous for Connecticut Homeowners?

Tree of heaven poses a triple threat to Connecticut properties: it fuels the spotted lanternfly invasion, causes expensive infrastructure damage, and destroys beneficial native vegetation.

Tree of Heaven Fuels the Spotted Lanternfly Infestation

Tree of heaven is the preferred host for spotted lanternfly; of the 70+ plant species they feed on, these invasive pests survive better and lay more eggs on tree of heaven than any other.

When spotted lanternflies feed on this invasive tree, they excrete sticky honeydew that drips onto everything below. This sugary substance attracts wasps and ants while simultaneously feeding black sooty mold fungus that coats nearby plants, outdoor furniture, and patios.

Spotted Lanternflies Infestations Threaten Connecticut Agriculture and Trigger Quarantines

Spotted lanternflies threaten Connecticut’s agricultural economy, feeding on valuable crops including apples, grapes, hops, maples, walnuts, and more. That’s why the state implemented a quarantine order (renewed annually since 2021 and currently effective through December 31, 2025; no details yet on whether it will be renewed again for 2026) covering 6 counties where both tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly populations are exploding.

The quarantine restricts movement of certain items that could spread spotted lanternflies — including tree of heaven wood, outdoor equipment, and landscaping materials — out of Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and New London counties without permits or compliance agreements.

Tree of Heaven Causes Costly Property and Infrastructure Damage

The shallow, aggressive root system of tree of heaven causes expensive infrastructure damage, including:

• Foundation Cracks: Roots break concrete foundations and basement walls.
• Driveway and Sidewalk Damage: Trees sprout from pavement cracks, then expand roots to worsen the damage.
• Underground Utility Breaks: Roots damage water lines, sewer pipes, and electrical conduits.

A tree growing near your foundation isn’t just unsightly; it’s actively undermining your property’s structural integrity. Repair bills for foundation and infrastructure damage easily reach thousands of dollars for Connecticut homeowners dealing with this frustrating tree.

Tree of Heaven Kills Off Native Plants and Wildlife Habitat

Tree of heaven produces allelopathic chemicals (toxic compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants), such as ailanthone, that prevent other plants from growing nearby — essentially poisoning the soil around it. This creates dense colonies that crowd out native vegetation and displace beneficial species that Connecticut wildlife depends on for food and shelter.

Can You Remove Tree of Heaven Yourself?

No, you can’t effectively remove tree of heaven. In fact, dealing with tree of heaven yourself will actually make the problem much worse. When you simply cut down a tree of heaven, the extensive root system responds by sending up dozens of aggressive new shoots called root suckers. These suckers can emerge up to 50 feet from the parent tree, creating an even larger infestation across your property and potentially into neighboring yards. Even small root fragments left in the soil will resprout. And while hand-pulling “works” for very young seedlings in moist soil, tree of heaven develops a deep taproot within just three months, making physical removal nearly impossible.

Persistence and professional intervention are the keys to success when dealing with tree of heaven — complete eradication requires 3 to 5 years of consistent monitoring and follow-up treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tree of Heaven in Connecticut

Is tree of heaven poisonous to people or pets?

Tree of heaven won’t severely poison people or pets, but it is slightly toxic. Some people experience skin rashes from sap contact or allergies to the male flower pollen, and pets that chew leaves may have mild digestive upset. The real danger though is property damage from aggressive roots that break foundations and driveways, which can cost thousands in repairs.

Will tree of heaven eventually die on its own?

No. Tree of heaven lives 30-50+ years in Connecticut and reproduces aggressively — one tree produces up to 350,000 seeds annually. Without active removal, it spreads through both seeds and root suckers, forming dense colonies that crowd out native plants.

If my neighbor has tree of heaven, will it spread to my property?

If your neighbor has tree of heaven in their yard, it is very likely it will spread to your property. Wind-dispersed seeds can germinate in your yard, and root suckers can emerge up to 50 feet from the parent tree. A tree on your neighbor’s property line could send shoots into your yard. Coordinate removal with neighbors in Connecticut’s quarantine counties.

Are there any benefits to keeping tree of heaven?

No, there are not any benefits to keeping tree of heaven on your property. It might provide decent shade, but the damage it causes far outweighs any minor benefits. The severe impact on infrastructure, spotted lanternfly attraction, crowding out of native plants, and production of chemicals that kill other plants all make it a major liability. Native alternatives, like oak or maple, provide superior ecological value without invasive behavior.

How can I prevent tree of heaven from appearing in my yard after removal?

Get in the habit of checking your property monthly during growing season for new seedlings. Hand-pull very young seedlings immediately before taproots develop and keep foundation areas clear of debris where seeds might germinate. Perhaps most importantly, address any nearby mature trees before they produce hundreds of thousands of wind-dispersed seeds.

Stop Tree of Heaven with Expert Removal from Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service

That fast-growing tree that smells of rancid peanut butter isn’t just ugly — it’s actively harming your property and attracting spotted lanternflies that threaten Connecticut’s agriculture. If you’ve spotted

tree of heaven on your Fairfield or New Haven County property, Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service provides expert removal with proper herbicide treatment and multi-year follow-up to prevent regrowth.

With decades of experience serving Connecticut communities, our team understands the unique challenges of invasive species management in our region. Call 203-258-5584 or request a free consultation to get started protecting your yard today.