tree of heaven

noun phrase

: a Chinese ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima synonym A. glandulosa) that has foliage similar to that of the sumacs, has ill-scented staminate flowers, and is grown as a shade and ornamental tree

Examples of tree of heaven in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As with grapes, lanternfly swarms can kill the invasive plant–but the tree of heaven is a pest in its own right and nothing native depends on it. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 July 2024 These bugs prefer to lay eggs on the tree of heaven, but the egg masses can also be found on cars, outdoor furniture, and other types of trees. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 June 2024 Another invasive plant, tree of heaven, attracts the Japanese lantern fly, an invasive insect that has been spreading into Connecticut and destroying trees and crops. Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024 First, Zhang used ultrasound to emit an incense made from the essence of tree of heaven from ArTreeficial’s trunk to entice the pests. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 The tree of heaven, for instance, is a preferred home from the fly’s native range, but it’s not always guaranteed to land on that plant. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Researchers knew the insects could feed on more than 70 types of plants in addition to their primary food, the tree of heaven. Nala Rogers, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023 The one here for tree of heaven is fairly comprehensive and might look overwhelming at first. oregonlive, 15 July 2023 They are known to feed on over 70 plant species, including black walnut, red maple and tree of heaven. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tree of heaven was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near tree of heaven

Cite this Entry

“Tree of heaven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree%20of%20heaven. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tree of heaven

: a Chinese tree that is widely planted as a shade and ornamental tree and has leaves divided into many leaflets and ill-smelling male flowers

Medical Definition

tree of heaven

noun
tree of heav·​en -ˈhev-ən How to pronounce tree of heaven (audio)
: an Asian tree of the genus Ailanthus (A. glandulosa) widely grown as a shade and ornamental tree and having bark that has been used as a tonic, purgative, and anthelmintic

More from Merriam-Webster on tree of heaven

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!