Q: Why is the tree-of-heaven bad?
A: The tree-of-heaven, or stinking sumac, is incredibly invasive. It grows quickly and crowds out native species. It produces a herbicidal compound named ailanthone, which inhibits other plants' growth. In at least one case, sap from the tree entered the bloodstream of a 24-year-old tree surgeon and caused myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart. On top of that, the tree-of-heaven is the native vector species for the spotted lanternfly.

Q: Well, why's the spotted lanternfly bad?
A: The spotted lanternfly is an invasive planthopper from eastern Asia. It does not sting, nor does it bite, but it does feed on plant stems and trunks, sucking the phloem/sap by stabbing through the outside of the plant with its proboscis. They don't damage trees much in small amounts, but what they produce can do so: Lanternflies produce a sticky substance called honeydew, a waste product which attracts pests, including wasps, and directly supports the growth of sooty mold, which can damage plants a lot.

Q: Why is this an issue at Goucher?
A: Have you recently walked under the Meyerhoff Arts Center's main entrance? Did you feel something like a raindrop, or felt how sticky the ground was? Well, I've got bad news: It's the waste excretion of the spotted lanternfly, feeding en masse off the tree-of-heaven right there.

Q: How do we get rid of the tree-of-heaven, especially if it's so invasive?
A: You would be correct if you guessed that you can't just cut down the tree and hope it doesn't grow back. The application of a systemic herbicide and close monitoring (and destruction) of any new sprouts is the best course of action.

Q: Well, surely we can't get rid of all of the spotted lanternflies?
A: Sadly, you're correct. It's impossible to account for every egg mass, every nymph, every generation of lanternfly. What we can--and must--do instead is manage the sites where lanternflies are present and do what we can to reduce their population.