Transcript Ailanthus altissima - University of Nevada, Reno

Ailanthus altissima
From the root word ailantoMeaning “tree of the gods” or
“tree of heaven”
Taxonomy
Classification
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Family: Simaroubaceae
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Genus: Ailanthus
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Species: altissima
Related Species
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A. excelsa
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A. integrifolia
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A. malabarica
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A. triphysa
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A. vilmoriniana
Common Names:
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Tree-of-Heaven
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Smoke tree
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Stink tree
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Chinese Sumac
Description
• Height: 25-30m tall (~100ft)
• Leaves: Odd-pinnately compound w/lancelate leaflets
• Twigs: Light brown with numerous lenticels. No terminal
meristems are present.
• Bark: Smooth, thin cork epidermis w/ light grey brown age
groves.
• Flowers: Produced in large panicles at the end of newly
growing shoots. The colors range from green to reddish.
Flowers appear in mid May (depending on the latitude).
Male and female flowers are present on separate plants.
Male flowers produce a rancid smell to attract flies and
wasps. Female flowers can produce several thousand
seeds.
• Fruit: 3-8 cm long schizocarp. Each fruit contains only one
seed. Seeds are dispersed by the wind.
Habitat: Where is it native?
• A. altissima is native to china and was
introduced into Europe and North America
before the 1800’s. (was documented to be
naturalized by the 1800’s in Tennessee)
• A. altissima is exceptionally tolerant to a wide
range of conditions. Although, it does not
grow well in intense shade or flooding.
Distribution in North America and
Canada
Distribution in Nevada
States where Invasive
Places where action is taken!
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Connecticut- Invasive, banned
Massachusetts- Prohibited
New Hampshire- Prohibited invasive species
Vermont- Class B noxious weed
A. Altissima Life History Traits
• Reproductive System1) Dioecious
2) Self-incompatible
3) Sexual and vegetative reproduction
A. Altissima Life History Traits
• Reproductive System
• Flowering & Fruiting periods
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Flowers are small and extremely numerous
Short Flowering in April to July
Seeds can stay on the tree all winter
Seeds are not very nutritious to other animals
A. Altissima Life History Traits
• Reproductive System
• Flowering & Fruiting periods
• Juvenile Period (Very short)
1) Can grow up to 1m per year for the first 4 years
2) After that continues to out grow other native trees
A. Altissima Life History Traits
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Reproductive System
Flowering & Fruiting periods
Juvenile Period
Germination Cues
1) Light… as little as 3% direct light through a
canopy
2) Soil depth may play a role
A. Altissima Life History Traits
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Reproductive System
Flowering & Fruiting periods
Juvenile Period
Germination Cues
Light Requirements
1) Virtually no competitiveness in extreme shade
2) High light phenotypic plasticity-Because of wide
range of suitable habitats
Arrival: How did it get here?
• In 1784, garden trade, PA
• In 1850’s, garden trade, CA
• Then…
• To other yards all over the US.
• Got into streams and other water ways.
• And traveled through the air.
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
• Vacant niche
• There is no vacant niche to be used
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
• Vacant niche
• Allelopathy
1) Ailanthone
Herbicidal effects under field conditions of A.
altissima bark extract, which contains ailanthone,
2003. Heisey, R.M. et. al
• Abstract:
– Extracted ailonthone from the roots of A. altissima
and applied it, in varying amounts, in field
conditions to plot sights and recorded: seed
germination rate, biomass accumulation.
• Results:
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
• Vacant niche
• Allelopathy
• Global Change
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
• Modifies nutrient cycle
• Leaves decompose at much faster rates
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Competition
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Competition
• Extremely fast growing
• Allelopathic chemicals
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Competition
Micro-evolutionary Changes
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Competition
Micro-evolutionary Changes
Escape from Biotic Restraints
Characteristics: What makes it
invasive?
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Vacant niche
Allelopathy
Global Change
Resource Availability
Competition
Micro-evolutionary Changes
Escape from Biotic Restraints
• Um.. Duh..
• In China: 30 predators
• In US: … Cynthia Silk moth (Samia cynthia), but only in
silk production factories..
Impacts: Economic
• 111 acres of foothills and grass lands
• Modifies grassland habitat and agriculture fields
• Fast growing
• Costly to control biologically
• Roots can damage streets and foundations
• Good for nursery trade
• Cure for Cancer?
Screening of Korean medicinal plants for
possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro
2008. Youn, Y. N. et. al
• Abstract: Bone loss is generally do to
osteoclasts. In an experiment done with mice,
222 methonal extracts were examined. A
molecule that inhibits the RANKL-induced
osteoclast differentiation pathway was found
in several.
Screening of Korean medicinal plants for
possible osteoclastogenesis effects in vitro
2008. Youn, Y. N. et. al
Impacts: Ecological
• Converts native vegetation stands, esp.
riparian habitat
• Uses lots of water
• Creates dead habitat for many organisms
• Modifies nutrition cycles
Plant growth regulatory effect and insecticidal
activity of the extracts of the Tree of Heaven
2002. Tsao R. et. al
• Abstract: Secondary compounds of A.
altissima have been said to have herbicidal
and insecticidal properties. This could pose a
public and ecologic health threat in many
habitats.
Plant growth regulatory effect and insecticidal
activity of the extracts of the Tree of Heaven
2002. Tsao R. et. al
• Conclusion: Testing on mosquito had no effect.
Testing on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) showed
strong inhibitory effects. These effects where
increased in intense sun. This could have positive
implications for a natural herbicide and
insecticide (mosquitoes are different than
herbivorous insects).
• Although, this also indicates that the the second
trophic level capacity is reduced in those
converted areas, creating a bottom up cascading
effect.
• Also this could pose a threat to the agriculture of
Nevada.
The role of native riparian tree species in decomposition
of invasive tree of heaven leaf litter in an urban stream
2008. Swan, C. M. and Healey, B.
• Abstract: Humans rely on ecosystem services,
but our activities degrade stream and river
habitat. Replanting streamside vegetation is
common, but does riparian tree biodiversity
play a role in the effectiveness of these
ecosystem services? By following the leaf
litter decomposition rates of several tree
species and modifying the composition of leaf
litter we hope to understand this process.
The role of native riparian tree species in decomposition
of invasive tree of heaven leaf litter in an urban stream
2008. Swan, C. M. and Healey, B.
• Results: Of 7 tree species
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Northern Red oak
White oak
Red maple
Blackgum
Tulip poplar
Flowering dogwood
Tree of heaven
• Tree of heaven leaves decomposed the fastest,
causing a delay in other leaf decomposition.
• Tree of heaven litter was able to support large
numbers of shredder species.
• This could cause a shift in nutrient movement in the
habitat that could change the habitat functions.
Impacts: Social
• Farmers hate it
• Ornamental gardeners love it
• It looks cool
Management: Assessment
• Nevada currently does not have enough
assessment information to include A. altissima
on the noxious invasive species list.
• Only 3 counties have been surveyed
Management: Prevention
• Unless banned in all areas in and around the
US, constant monitoring and screening is
required to prevent re-infestations. This can
be costly and unrealistic.
• But… Monitoring of areas that have seed
dispersal corridors establishment in new areas
can be prevented. This too is costly but more
realistic.
Management: Control and Eradication
• Manual• Seedlings can be pulled or dug up as long as all the root
comes with it.
• Removing the female plants can temporarily control the
spread and proliferation of new individuals.
• Tilling could incorporate the seeds further into the soil
inducing more germination
• No large animals eat it
• Burning doesn’t work unless it kills the whole root
Management: Control and Eradication
• Chemical• Works best as the plant comes out of winter dormancy
• Any readily available herbicide works such as triclopyr
and imazapyr.
• But these chemicals are not specific
Management: Control and Eradication
• Biocontrol• Several members of the same genus are present in the
US and not considered a noxious invasive.
• Because of the tough nature of A. altissima any pest
brought over would have a degree of lethality and
could cause massive agriculture and economic
problems
• Although in NY some trees are being destroyed by
fungal pathogens.
Literature Cited