BRIAN PAIGE
Ask RECEIVES the Expert BEACON AWARD
BRIAN PAIGE
Ask RECEIVES the Expert BEACON AWARD
Question: How can I permanently get rid of tree-of-heaven?
Answer: Managing tree-of-heaven can be difficult but is possible! For those not familiar with this plant, tree-of-heaven is an invasive species found in much of Massachusetts, and is a favorite host plant of spotted lanternfly. If removed improperly, it will either grow back from the stump or send up dozens of new shoots from the roots.
Proper tree-of-heaven management needs multiple steps:
1. Correctly identify the tree. A guide to tell the difference between tree-of-heaven and its most common look-alikes can be found on our blog( https:// massnrc. org / pests / blog /? p = 3985).
5. Monitor the site for several years for signs of regrowth and repeat treatment if necessary. This process may take multiple years, particularly in a dense patch of tree-of-heaven.
Want more details about tree-of-heaven control? Check out this guide( https:// extension. psu. edu / tree-ofheaven-control-strategies) from Penn State Extension.
Note: Take precautions to avoid extensive contact with the sap of tree-of-heaven. In rare cases, the sap can cause skin irritation or, in extreme cases, heart issues.
By Elizabeth Barnes, Ph. D. Reprinted from the Massachusetts Introduced Outreach Project – a resource provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources – September 2026.
2. Apply herbicide. Herbicide is needed to kill off all but the smallest tree-of-heaven saplings. Cutting down the tree alone will just cause it to resprout. There are several methods of treatment available, including hack and squirt, basal bark treatment, and foliar sprays. Hack and squirt is the best way to avoid accidentally treating nearby plants, but all of these treatment methods are effective. Whichever method you choose, treatment should be done in the summer or early fall, to ensure the herbicide is moved by the plant into the roots, to prevent resprouting. Follow the label of the product you are using( or hire a professional!) and apply after the tree is done flowering, to reduce risk to pollinators.
3. Be patient. Wait at least 30 days after herbicide treatment to ensure it has time to travel throughout the tree, including down into the underground root system, to prevent new shoot growth. This process can take a month or more depending on the time of year, application method, and soil moisture.
4. Cut the tree down. If it has been at least a month and the tree is showing signs of dieback, it can be cut down. Typically, late fall or winter is the best time of year to do this step.
Photo credit: jerrychorizo, iNaturalist
MALP Newsline | Summer 2026 11