Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima , commonly known as tree of heaven, ailanthus, or in Chinese as chouchun, is a deciduous tree in the family Simaroubaceae. It is native to both northeast and central China, as well as Taiwan. Unlike other members of the genus Ailanthus, it is found in temperate climates rather than the tropics. The tree grows rapidly and is capable of reaching heights of 15 metres in 25 years. While the species rarely live more than 50 years, some specimens exceed 100 years old. Its remarkable suckering ability makes it possible for this tree to clone itself almost indefinitely.

In China, the tree of heaven has a long and rich history. It was mentioned in the oldest extant Chinese dictionary and listed in countless Chinese medical texts for its purported ability to cure ailments ranging from mental illness to baldness. The roots, leaves and bark are still used today in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily as an astringent.