A number of invasive species have colonized the Central Atlantic region, including parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Princess trees (Paulownia tomentosa) pop up like weeds in abandoned lots and natural areas, while privet (Ligustrum spp.) can take over an entire forest. Meanwhile, the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) doesn’t need an introduction, as it has wreaked havoc across our entire region.
But while these invasive species cause problems on their own, there’s one destructive duo that causes damage on multiple fronts: the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula).
We’ll explain everything you need to know about both invasive species and the manner in which they interact with each other below.
The Spotted Lanternfly: A Pesky Planthopper
Native to portions of China and Vietnam, the spotted lanternfly (SLF) seems innocuous enough at a glance. Given the pale gray base color and contrasting black spots of its wings, some may even consider it an attractive insect.
But make no mistake: This is one destructive insect.
The problem is primarily caused by the SLF’s feeding behavior. The insects insert their piercing-sucking mouthparts into a plant or tree’s vascular tissues to suck out sap.
This feeding can stress the plant and cause localized damage, while the copious amounts of honeydew (liquid excrement) they produce can lead to additional problems.
And while the insects are not directly harmful to people, the honeydew they create can stain surfaces. The insects also commonly aggregate in huge numbers and deposit large numbers of eggs, which can prove unsettling to some homeowners.
The Tree of Heaven: Tree Non Grata
The tree of heaven’s native range includes portions of China and Taiwan, including some areas that overlap the range of the SLF. While the tree is a valuable component of natural ecosystems in its homeland, it is a problematic invasive in the United States.
Capable of reaching up to 50 feet in height within only a few decades, the tree of heaven is a fast-growing, weedy species that can survive in many locations other trees can’t. Unfortunately, it rarely lives more than 50 years or so, which presents maintenance challenges and safety risks for property owners.
Additionally, the tree of heaven spreads incredibly quickly; one tree can produce as many as 300,000 seeds each year, and the tree is famous for sending up new shoots from the root system. That often means that one tree of heaven will turn into dozens surprisingly quickly.
This also makes the tree very difficult to eradicate. If you simply cut one down, it will likely produce an abundance of new shoots to take its place.
The Tree of Heaven and Spotted Lanternfly: Dealing with Both Invasive Species
In its natural range, the tree of heaven serves as the preferred host and primary food source for SLF. The same holds true in the U.S., but the tree of heaven isn’t the only plant SLF will feed upon.
In fact, the spotted lanternfly has been documented feeding on more than 100 plant species. So, while the insects may prefer to feed on tree of heaven, they feed on countless other plants and trees across the country.
Fortunately, property owners can take steps to manage both tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies. However, because the two species present very different challenges, they require different management approaches.
Tree of Heaven Management
Tree of heaven is notoriously difficult to eradicate. As mentioned, cutting down the trunk often triggers the root system to produce numerous new shoots. This means cutting one down can actually lead to a bigger problem than you originally had.
Accordingly, established trees must typically be treated with an appropriate herbicide first and then given time to move throughout the root system. The dead or declining tree can then be removed at the appropriate time.
Spotted Lanternfly Management
Homeowners can use several non-chemical methods to reduce spotted lanternfly populations.
Egg masses can be scraped from trees and other surfaces and destroyed, while circle traps can capture large numbers of nymphs as they climb tree trunks. Individual insects can also simply be crushed or otherwise physically removed when practical.
SLF can also be managed through the use of insecticides. Depending on the circumstances, your arborist may recommend contact treatments that kill insects directly or systemic treatments that are absorbed by the tree and kill lanternflies as they feed.
Managing Both Threats
Managing tree of heaven can also help reduce one of the spotted lanternfly’s preferred food sources, but it won’t eliminate the pest from your property.
Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide variety of plants and can readily move between properties, so effective management may require a combination of invasive tree control, targeted insecticide treatments, and ongoing monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree of Heaven and Spotted Lanternflies
Tree of heaven and spotted lanternflies have both become familiar sights across Pennsylvania and Maryland, but homeowners often have questions about the relationship between these two invasive species. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about identifying, removing, and managing them.
Why are spotted lanternflies attracted to tree of heaven?
Tree of heaven is a preferred host of the spotted lanternfly, particularly during the insect’s adult stage. However, spotted lanternflies can feed on many other plants and trees, so removing tree of heaven will not necessarily eliminate them from a property.
Can I simply cut down a tree of heaven?
Cutting down a tree of heaven without any additional treatment can actually make the problem worse.
That’s because the remaining root system can (and usually will) produce numerous root sprouts, potentially resulting in a thicket of new stems. Effective management typically requires controlling the root system before or in conjunction with removing the tree.
Do spotted lanternflies kill trees?
Spotted lanternflies can stress trees by feeding on their sap, but they do not typically kill healthy landscape trees outright.
With that said, heavy infestations can contribute to decline, and their feeding produces large quantities of honeydew, which can promote sooty mold growth and create a significant nuisance around homes and landscapes.
What trees do spotted lanternflies attack besides tree of heaven?
Spotted lanternflies feed on a wide variety of woody plants. Common hosts include maples (Acer spp.), black walnut (Juglans nigra), birches (Betula spp.), willows (Salix spp.), and grapes (Vitis spp.), among many others. Their host preferences also change as they progress through their life cycle.
How can I identify a tree of heaven?
Tree of heaven has large, compound leaves consisting of numerous leaflets arranged along a central stem. The leaflets generally have smooth margins except for a few teeth near their bases.
However, scent is often the best clue homeowners can use to identify this tree. When crushed, the leaves and other plant tissues also produce a strong, unpleasant odor that can help distinguish tree of heaven from similar-looking species, such as the black walnut.
Can spotted lanternflies be treated with insecticides?
Yes. Several insecticides — including both contact and systemic products — can kill spotted lanternflies. The appropriate treatment will depend on the tree, the severity and timing of the infestation, and other site-specific factors.
However, because spotted lanternflies are highly mobile, treatment can reduce populations on individual trees, but it cannot prevent new insects from entering your property.
Should I remove a tree of heaven from my property?
In most cases, removing a tree of heaven is beneficial because it is an aggressive invasive species capable of spreading rapidly and displacing desirable vegetation. However, established trees should be managed carefully to avoid triggering extensive root sprouting.
An ISA-certified arborist can identify the tree and recommend an appropriate control and removal strategy.
Baker Tree Service: The Trusted Source for Invasive Species Management
Whether you suspect spotted lanternflies are feeding on your precious landscape trees or you’ve spotted a tree of heaven sprouting in your yard, it’s important to get professional help when battling either of these two invasive species.
The ISA-certified arborists at Baker Tree Service are standing by and ready to help. We’ll be happy to provide you with a complimentary onsite evaluation and outline the best approach for managing the problem.
Contact us now to get started.
Sources and References
- Northern Research Station project page on federal research into spotted lanternfly biology, spread, and mitigation strategies, including the pest’s relationship with tree-of-heaven. https://research.fs.usda.gov/nrs/projects/spotted-lanternfly-mitigation
- USDA Forest Service – “Ailanthus altissima” (Fire Effects Information System)
FEIS species review of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), synthesizing its invasion biology, allelopathic effects, reproduction, and management across North American ecosystems.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/ailalt/all.html - USDA Agricultural Research Service – “Tree-of-Heaven Serves as Devilish Host to Spotted Lanternfly”
Federal research news article explaining tree-of-heaven’s role as a preferred host for spotted lanternfly and how that relationship informs control strategies for both species.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/dof/tree-of-heaven-serves-as-devilish-host-to-spotted-lanternfly/ - University of Maryland Extension – “Invasives in Your Woodland: Tree-of-Heaven (Updated 2025)”
Extension guide to identifying tree-of-heaven, understanding its aggressive spread and allelopathy, and managing it in woodland and landscape settings.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/invasives-your-woodland-tree-heaven-ailanthus-updated-2025/ - Penn State Extension – “Tree-of-Heaven”
Extension resource covering tree-of-heaven identification, its rapid spread via prolific seed production and root suckering, and control methods, including its connection to spotted lanternfly.
https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven - Maryland Department of Agriculture – “Spotted Lanternfly”
State agency hub covering spotted lanternfly identification, quarantine, reporting, and Maryland’s management response, including the pest’s reliance on tree-of-heaven.
https://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/pages/spotted-lantern-fly.aspx - Maryland Invasive Species Council – “Invader of the Month: Tree-of-Heaven”
Regional invasive-species council profile of tree-of-heaven, covering its identification, ecological impact, and role as the preferred host of spotted lanternfly.
https://mdinvasives.org/iotm/sept-2018/ - Clinton County, Pennsylvania Conservation District – “Tree of Heaven”
County conservation district page on identifying and managing tree-of-heaven, a regionally aggressive invasive tree in central Pennsylvania.
https://www.clintoncountypa.gov/departments/conservation-district/invasive-species/tree-of-heaven