Management of Ailanthus altissima in Israel
Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae: EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) is native to East Asia. It is a widespread species in the EPPO region where it can invade a variety of habitats including managed and unmanaged grasslands, forests, river/canal banks, rail/roadsides, wastelands, and urban areas. A. altissima, is one of the main invasive tree species in the Mediterranean region where it invades natural habitats. Between 2019 and 2021, a new control protocol was registered in Israel based on the direct application of small volumes of aminopyralid into the tree cambium with a hack and squirt technique. This involves cutting into the cambium with a knife or axe and applying aminopyralid directly after the cut. Following application, trees showed decline after 2 – 6 months. Some 90 % of the trees died after the first application. This method can also prevent resprouting and the development of root suckers.
Sources
Dufour-Dror JM (2025) Controlling Ailanthus altissima with the hack and squirt technique in Israel. Presentation: Conference on Invasion Biology. Sarlóspuszta, Hungary,26-28 February, 2025. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.12983.23206