Tree Services
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) Removal in Montgomery County, MD
Cutting tree of heaven makes it spread. We treat the root system so it will not resprout — Rockville, Bethesda & Montgomery County. 301-580-6023.
About Our Tree of Heaven Removal Services
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is the invasive that homeowners most often make worse by trying to deal with it themselves. Cut the stem and the root system responds by sending up suckers — often dozens of them, over a wider area than the original tree covered. A weekend with a chainsaw frequently turns one tree into a thicket.
It is also the spotted lanternfly’s preferred host. A stand of Ailanthus on or beside your property concentrates the local lanternfly population, which is why removing it does more than any amount of spraying. Rock Creek treats the root system, then takes the stems down, and comes back to check the ground the following season.
When Homeowners Call Us For Tree of Heaven Removal
- Fast-growing saplings in clumps along a fence line, alley, wood edge or disturbed ground
- Long compound leaves with many leaflets, each with a small notch and gland near the base — and a strong unpleasant smell when a leaf or twig is crushed
- Suckers pushing up through lawn, beds or pavement after someone cut a tree down
- Spotted lanternflies massing heavily on one particular tree
- Stems growing tight against a foundation, retaining wall, shed or utility line
- A previous removal that grew back thicker than what was taken out
Our Process
Positive identification
Ailanthus is routinely confused with staghorn sumac, black walnut and hickory. We confirm which one you actually have before anything is treated — the wrong call means either a wasted treatment or a native tree killed for nothing.
Treatment of the root system
The roots are dealt with first, because that is what stops the suckering. Timing matters: late in the growing season is when treatment carries furthest into the root system in Maryland.
Stem removal
Once the root system has been addressed, the stems come down — by the same crews and methods we use for removals near houses, fences and service lines.
Follow-up the next season
Established stands can push new suckers after a first pass. We check the ground the following season and treat anything that comes back.
Why Hire Rock Creek for Tree of Heaven Removal
- Cutting alone makes tree of heaven spread — the root system has to be treated
- ISA Certified Arborist identification, so a native lookalike is not killed by mistake
- Maryland Licensed Tree Expert #1944
- Fully insured — workers comp + liability + auto
- Removes the spotted lanternfly’s preferred host, not just the insects on it
Service Area
We provide tree of heaven removal services throughout Montgomery County, Maryland and into Northern Virginia — including Arlington, VA, Aspen Hill, MD, Bethesda, MD, Brookeville, MD, Cabin John, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, Columbia, MD, Darnestown, MD and more.
Tree of Heaven Removal guides from our team
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Mature Tree Care in Rockville, Potomac & Bethesda, MD
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What Happens to Your Tree After Removal? | Rock Creek
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Tree of Heaven Removal Services — common questions
- How do I know if I have tree of heaven?
- Long compound leaves with many leaflets, each with a small notch and gland near the base, and a strong unpleasant smell when a leaf or twig is crushed — often compared to rancid peanut butter. It grows very fast, has smooth grey bark when young, and turns up along fence lines, in alleys and at the edge of woods.
- Why is it such a problem?
- It spreads aggressively by seed and by root suckers, releases chemicals that suppress nearby plants, and is the preferred host of spotted lanternfly. A single mature tree of heaven on a property will keep producing both seedlings and lanternfly pressure across the whole neighborhood.
- Can I just cut it down?
- Cutting alone makes it worse. A tree of heaven cut at the base responds by sending up dozens of root suckers, often across a wide area and into neighboring yards, and you end up with a thicket instead of a tree. Effective control pairs removal with herbicide treatment so the root system is dealt with rather than triggered.
- How long does it take to get rid of?
- Expect follow-up. A properly treated tree usually needs monitoring over the following season or two, with any suckers treated as they appear. Anyone promising a single visit and a permanent result has not dealt with this species.
- Will it come back from a neighbor’s yard?
- It can. Root systems cross property lines and seed travels readily. If there is a mature tree of heaven next door, controlling your own is still worth doing, but it becomes ongoing management rather than a one-off. It is a conversation worth having with the neighbor.
Need tree of heaven removal today?
Call us 24/7 or request a free quote online.