This Invasive Colorado Tree Smells Like Rotten Peanut Butter

When it comes to trees, you can never have enough shade. Earlier this year, I had the unfortunate situation of losing more than half of my ash tree in my backyard due to that one heavy snowstorm in May.

I woke up to the top crown snapped like a cheap toothpick from the corner diner. It was a sad thing to see the only large tree in our yard get knocked down a notch by Mother Nature.

Colorado Homeowners Should Watch for Tree of Heaven

Trees are great for shade and landscaping in your yard, but not all trees are created equal. As a matter of fact, some trees in Colorado and other states are considered invasive, and they can be quite troublesome to get rid of.

a close up of a green leafy plant

Imagine having a tree in your yard that had leaves that stunk like rotten peanut butter when crushed. Sounds pleasant, right? Not only do these trees have stinky stems and leaves, but they also aggressively grow. When you cut one down, more will grow in its place along the root system, almost like a virus.

READ MORE: This Gross and Invasive Insect Has Returned to Northern Colorado

Colorado has a big problem with the tree that has a pleasant name, but it is anything but nice. The Tree of Heaven is widely considered to be an invasive species throughout the United States. The Tree of Heaven looks much like a sumac tree, but it can grow aggressively, roots can damage concrete and sewers, push through the foundations of homes, and can kill surrounding vegetation with the chemicals the tree secretes.

Removing Tree of Heaven Can Be Difficult

Removal of the Tree of Heaven can be difficult because when you cut down the invasive tree, it will trigger the plant to shoot out a new wave of roots and suckers. Herbicide is used to infect the root system promptly after the tree has been cut down, but that doesn't always work to eliminate the invasive tree.

To learn more about the Tree of Heaven and how it could impact your property and ecosystem in your neighborhood, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture.