Invasive Plants and Biocontrol: The Tree of Heaven

Abstract

The Tree of Heaven (TOH) is an invasive plant that is commonly found in the northeastern United States where it has become established. Biocontrol, the introduction of a predator to control the population of an undesirable species has been identified as a possible method of control for the TOH. Government reports show that the TOH is responsible for minor infrastructural damages. More significantly TOH is a host of some dangerous pests such as the Spotted Lanternfly, which causes significant damage to agricultural crops. Current research suggests that the Tree of Heaven can be controlled with biocontrol without significantly damaging other flora. Local botanical scientists contend that the TOH is an invasive plant but that the damage associated with the TOH is contained in areas already environmentally degraded by other invasive plants and damage caused by property development. The majority of scientists supported biocontrol as a good, yet time-consuming method of control for some species under certain circumstances. Keywords: tree of heaven, invasive plants, ailanthus, biocontrol