Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Vigorous, suckering tree. BARK Smooth and grey at first, pale and scaly with age. BRANCHES Thick, mostly upright; twigs end in tiny, ovoid scarlet buds. LEAVES Alternate, pinnate, to 60cm long, with up to 25 7–12cm-long, pointed leaflets; deep red at first, shiny green in summer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Greenish flowers in fairly open spikes on separate sex trees. Fruits reddish, winged and twisted seeds about 3cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China, widely planted here.