Ailanthus altissima, the tree-of-heaven, is a Cal-IPC rated high-impact invasive that the LA County Agricultural Commissioner detects and treats due to its host role for the spotted lanternfly pest threat to California agriculture.
Ailanthus altissima is rated high invasive by the California Invasive Plant Council and is a primary host for the spotted lanternfly, a serious agricultural pest that has devastated grape, stone fruit, and tree-of-heaven stands in eastern states. The LA County Department of Agricultural Commissioner and Weights and Measures detects, surveys, and treats infestations under Food and Agricultural Code authority and county nuisance weed provisions in Title 11. Removal requires care because cut stumps resprout aggressively; effective control combines cut-stump herbicide, basal bark application, or foliar spray. There is no countywide planting ban, but state nursery stock cannot include it. Property owners may be ordered to abate if the tree contributes to pest spread.
Allowing tree-of-heaven to spread onto county rights-of-way, failing to abate after a county nuisance order, or planting it in commercial nurseries can trigger Agricultural Commissioner abatement, removal billing, and Food and Ag Code citation.
See how Lancaster's tree-of-heaven removal rules stack up against other locations.
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