Ailanthus altissima, commonly known as Tree of Heaven, is a deciduous tree in the Simaroubaceae family. It is native to both northeast and central China and Taiwan.of 15 meters (49 ft) in 25 years. However, the species is also short lived and rarely lives more than 50 years.The tree was first brought from China to Europe in the 1740s and to the United States. Outside of Europe and the United States, the plant has been spread to many other areas beyond its native range.