Colorado Department of Agriculture lists Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) as a List B noxious weed under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. Denver Forestry requires removal on private property and bans planting under DRMC chapter 57 right-of-way standards.
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is regulated as a List B noxious weed by Colorado Department of Agriculture under C.R.S. 35-5.5-101 et seq. List B species must be managed to stop continued spread. The species is also a host for the spotted lanternfly, an emerging pest threat. Denver Office of the City Forester within Department of Parks & Recreation administers DRMC chapter 57 (Trees) and prohibits planting Ailanthus on Denver public rights-of-way. On private property, Denver may issue notices to control under the noxious weed program; failure to comply can result in city contractor abatement and lien. Replacement with Colorado-native or approved species like bur oak, hackberry, or Kentucky coffeetree is encouraged.
Failing to control Ailanthus after a Denver Forestry notice violates DRMC chapter 57 with fines up to $999 per day, city abatement at owner expense plus a lien. Lanternfly host violations may bring state quarantine.
Denver, CO
DRMC chapter 57 makes the Denver City Forester responsible for all trees in public rights-of-way and parks. Removal, pruning, or planting of street trees req...
Denver, CO
Denver enforces the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, which classifies invasive species into List A (eradication required), List B (management required), and List C...
Denver, CO
Street trees in Denver's right-of-way require a City Forester permit to remove. Private trees generally don't require a permit unless under construction. Rem...
See how Denver's tree-of-heaven removal rules stack up against other locations.
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