On a warm summer afternoon, you might notice something unusual happening around a single tree. Its branches seem covered with insects, while nearby plants appear almost untouched.

The tree may look ordinary at first glance. Its leaves are large, its branches grow quickly, and it can appear perfectly at home along roadsides, parks, railways, and vacant lots.

But this tree has a remarkable connection with one of North America’s most closely watched invasive insects: the spotted lanternfly.

The tree is known as the tree of heaven, or Ailanthus altissima. Native to China, it has spread widely across parts of the United States. Spotted lanternflies, meanwhile, have shown a strong preference for feeding on it.

That relationship creates a difficult management problem.

Removing the tree can reduce an important food source for lanternflies in a particular location. Yet simply cutting it down can encourage the tree to produce new shoots, potentially making the situation harder to manage.

Understanding why these two invasive species are connected helps explain why controlling them requires more than simply reaching for a saw.

What Is the Tree of Heaven?

Tree of heaven, scientifically known as Ailanthus altissima, is a rapidly growing tree native to China.

It was introduced to North America centuries ago and became particularly established in urban and disturbed environments. According to Penn State Extension, it was introduced to Philadelphia in the 1700s and was subsequently planted widely throughout the region.

Today, tree of heaven can be found along roadsides, railway corridors, forest edges, vacant properties, and other areas where soil has been disturbed.

The tree can grow rapidly and reach considerable heights, sometimes approaching 80 feet.

Its ability to establish itself quickly is one reason it has become such a persistent invasive plant.

Unlike many native trees that compete more slowly for space, tree of heaven can spread aggressively through both seeds and underground root systems.

This makes identification particularly important before attempting removal.

Why Do Spotted Lanternflies Prefer It?

Spotted lanternflies feed on many different plants.

In fact, the insect has been documented using more than 70 plant species as food sources. However, tree of heaven is considered one of its preferred hosts.

The relationship is largely connected to the way lanternflies feed.

Spotted lanternflies use specialized mouthparts to access plant sap. Tree of heaven provides an abundant food source, allowing large numbers of insects to gather on individual trees.

That is why a tree surrounded by lanternflies can sometimes appear almost covered with them.

However, it is important not to misunderstand this relationship.

Spotted lanternflies do not require tree of heaven to survive.

They can use numerous other plants during different stages of their life cycle. Removing tree of heaven from a property can therefore reduce a preferred food source, but it will not automatically eliminate lanternflies from the surrounding area.

The insects can simply move to other available plants.

This distinction is important for anyone trying to manage a lanternfly population.

How Can You Identify Tree of Heaven?

Tree of heaven can be confused with several other trees, particularly when viewed from a distance.

Correct identification should come before removal.

One of the most recognizable features is its large compound leaves.

Individual leaves can reach several feet in length and contain numerous leaflets arranged along a central stem. The leaflets generally have smooth edges rather than the prominent serrations found on some visually similar plants.

The bark is typically light gray or brown and can develop a distinctive texture as the tree matures.

Another useful clue is the smell.

When the leaves, twigs, or other parts of the plant are crushed, tree of heaven can produce a strong and unpleasant odor.

Female trees can also produce clusters of winged seeds. These seeds may remain visible on branches for extended periods and can help distinguish the tree from some other species.

Because several trees can look similar, using an authoritative identification guide is recommended before taking action.

Why Simply Cutting It Down Can Backfire

This is where tree of heaven becomes especially challenging.

With many unwanted trees, cutting the trunk is enough to remove the plant.

Tree of heaven does not respond so simply.

Its root system can produce new shoots, sometimes at considerable distances from the original trunk. Cutting the main stem may therefore stimulate additional growth from the stump or surrounding roots.

Penn State Extension specifically warns that cutting or mowing tree of heaven can encourage vigorous regrowth.

That means a property owner could cut down what appears to be the problem tree and then discover numerous young shoots appearing around the former location.

In other words, removing the visible portion of the tree does not necessarily mean removing the plant itself.

The underground root system remains capable of supporting new growth.

The Importance of Treating the Root System

Effective management generally focuses on the entire plant rather than simply removing its trunk.

For established trees, professional guidance often recommends treating the root system before cutting the tree.

Systemic herbicides can be used as part of an integrated management strategy, with the precise product, timing, application method, and safety precautions depending on the situation.

Penn State Extension recommends specific herbicide-based approaches for controlling established tree of heaven and emphasizes following product labels carefully.

For homeowners, this is one area where professional assistance can be particularly useful.

Large trees can be difficult to manage safely, and improper treatment can damage surrounding vegetation or create unnecessary exposure risks.

The goal is not simply to make the tree disappear.

The goal is to prevent the root system from continuing to produce new growth.

What Happens to the Lanternflies?

Removing tree of heaven can help reduce one of the preferred food sources for spotted lanternflies in a particular area.

But it is not a complete solution.

Lanternflies are capable of feeding on many other plants. As their seasonal activity progresses, they may move between different trees and plants in search of suitable food.

This means removing tree of heaven should be viewed as one part of broader lanternfly management, rather than a guaranteed way to eliminate the insect.

The benefit is twofold.

First, property owners can reduce the presence of an invasive tree that competes with native vegetation.

Second, they can remove one particularly attractive feeding location for spotted lanternflies.

Neither result requires assuming that the tree is solely responsible for the insect population.

Why Invasive Species Can Be So Difficult to Manage

The story of tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies illustrates a broader challenge in environmental management.

Invasive species rarely exist in isolation.

A plant can provide food or shelter for an insect. An insect can move between multiple plant species. Human transportation can help organisms spread into new environments. Disturbed landscapes can provide opportunities for both plants and insects to establish themselves.

Once these relationships develop, removing one species may not immediately remove the others.

This is why environmental agencies frequently rely on integrated management rather than a single action.

Identification, monitoring, targeted removal, habitat management, and public awareness can all play a role.

The objective is to reduce the advantages that invasive species gain from an environment without unnecessarily disturbing native plants and wildlife.

What Should You Do If You Find Tree of Heaven?

The first step is identification.

Do not automatically remove a tree simply because you see spotted lanternflies nearby.

Instead, inspect the tree carefully and compare its characteristics with a trusted identification guide.

If it is confirmed as tree of heaven, consider the size of the tree, its location, nearby vegetation, and the extent of its root growth.

For small plants, management may be relatively straightforward. Larger established trees can be considerably more complicated.

Avoid simply mowing or cutting a mature tree and assuming the problem has been solved.

If herbicides are being considered, always follow the product label and applicable local regulations. For large trees or extensive infestations, contacting a qualified arborist or invasive-species professional can help ensure that the management approach is appropriate.

Tree of Heaven and the Bigger Lanternfly Picture

Spotted lanternflies attract considerable attention because large groups can sometimes gather visibly on trees.

Tree of heaven makes those observations even more noticeable because it is a preferred host.

But the relationship should be viewed in context.

Lanternflies have a broad range of potential host plants, while tree of heaven is itself an invasive species capable of spreading through seeds and root sprouts.

Therefore, controlling tree of heaven can make sense even when lanternflies are not present.

It is an invasive plant problem as well as an insect-management consideration.

That is one reason experts emphasize identifying and managing the tree itself rather than treating every lanternfly sighting as evidence that a particular tree must immediately be removed.

A Simple Lesson From an Unusual Partnership

The connection between tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies offers an interesting lesson about nature.

Sometimes, the most visible problem is not the underlying problem.

You may notice dozens of insects covering a tree and naturally focus on the insects. But the tree itself may be an important part of the story.

At the same time, removing the tree without understanding its biology can create another problem because its underground root system may respond with new growth.

The best approach is therefore informed rather than rushed.

Identify the plant.

Understand how it spreads.

Recognize that lanternflies can use other plants.

Choose a management method appropriate for the location.

And when the situation is extensive, seek guidance from professionals or local invasive-species authorities.

Conclusion: Look Beyond the Insects

Tree of heaven may not be the only plant that supports spotted lanternflies, but it is one of their preferred hosts.

That makes the tree particularly important when managing lanternflies in areas where both species are established.

Yet the solution is not as simple as cutting down every tree covered with insects.

Tree of heaven can regenerate vigorously from its roots, meaning poorly planned removal may encourage new growth rather than eliminate the plant.

The larger lesson is about understanding ecosystems before intervening.

An invasive insect may be easier to notice, while an invasive plant quietly provides part of the environment that helps it thrive. By learning to recognize both, property owners can make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary actions.

Nature rarely offers simple problems with simple solutions.

Sometimes, understanding what is happening beneath the surface is the most important step of all.

Sources

Penn State Extension: Tree of Heaven identification and management guidance.

Penn State Extension: Spotted Lanternfly management resources and host-plant information.

Clinton County Conservation District: Regional invasive-species and spotted lanternfly management information.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Resources concerning spotted lanternfly biology, identification, and management.