“The Columbian” newspaper article of August 13, 2014 warns residents of the highly invasive nature of this tree.

Fondly noted in the book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” for its tenacious ability to grow even through a crack in the cement in the heart of Brooklyn, the tree lives up to its name and is highly invasive.  A native to China and Taiwan, it is on the noxious and invasive list through most of the contiguous U.S.A. and eastern Canada, including Washington and Oregon states.

For more information on how to recognize and deal with this tree:

The Columbian:  Life section, August 13, 2014, pg D1-D3.

WA state:  http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=174

USDA:  http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AIAL

[Photo: courtesy Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board]