Arizona Department of Agriculture lists Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) as a regulated noxious weed but not prohibited. Maricopa County has no specific tree-of-heaven removal mandate. Removal is recommended due to invasive spread and spotted lanternfly host risk.
Arizona Department of Agriculture's noxious weed list under ARS 3-201 and ARS 3-204 does not currently include tree-of-heaven on the prohibited list, though it appears on the regulated watch list. Cal-IPC (California Invasive Plant Council) and AZ-WIPWG (Arizona Wildland Invasive Plant Working Group) classify it as a Class B invader spreading along washes and disturbed sites. Maricopa County does not require removal on private property. The tree is the primary host for spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive pest not yet established in Arizona but a major eastern US concern. Cities like Phoenix encourage removal in Rio Salado and South Mountain restoration. Federal lands managed by USFS and BLM treat it actively. Mature trees regenerate aggressively from roots.
No state or county penalty applies to growing tree-of-heaven on private property in 2026. Selling or moving live plants violates ARS 3-204 commerce restrictions on regulated species, with civil fines up to $1,000. HOA covenants may require removal.
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See how Scottsdale's tree-of-heaven removal rules stack up against other locations.
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