Tree of Heaven Pollen Color

Ailanthus altissima

Tree of Heaven pollen is shown in the orange and amber color family as general visual guidance. Use this page as a reference for pollen appearance, bloom timing, plant type, bee forage value, and available hardiness context.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Visual guideTree of Heaven pollen

No verified flowering image is currently available.

Plant Facts

SeasonSpring to Summer
USDA Zone4 - 8
Plant TypeTree
ForagePollen and nectar
Pollen ValueMedium
Nectar ValueHigh
Color FamilyOrange and amber
Scientific NameAilanthus altissima
Common NamesTree of heaven, Pride of China tree, Ailanthus
Color ConfidenceLow
Color MethodProvisional visual swatch; regional references support flowering and bee use but not a pollen-color measurement.
Reviewed2026-10-14

Quick Answer

Tree of Heaven pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as tree, associated with spring to summer bloom timing, USDA zone 4 - 8, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Tree of Heaven is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Tree of Heaven is listed for spring to summer. The record lists USDA zone 4 - 8; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: May, June, July.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as medium and nectar value marked as high. Male flower clusters can attract many bees, but the tree is highly invasive in North America.

Identification Notes

A fast-growing tree with very large pinnate leaves, gland-toothed leaflet bases, and broad clusters of small greenish flowers; crushed foliage has a strong odor.

Flower color note: Greenish yellow. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Lavender - Orange and amber Poison Ivy - Orange and amber Field Thistle - Yellow and gold Motherwort - Orange and amber Bugle - Orange and amber Dahlia - Orange and amber

Related by Season

Allium - Spring to Summer Almond - Spring to Summer Alsike Clover - Spring to Summer American Bittersweet - Spring to Summer American Persimmon - Spring to Summer Black Gum - Spring to Summer

Related by Plant Type

Alder - Tree Almond - Tree American Basswood - Tree American Persimmon - Tree Apple - Tree Ash - Tree

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification Pollen & Plant Bloom Dates
New Jersey Beekeepers Association / reviewed 2026-10-14
New Jersey bee-forage plant list, regional bloom windows, common-name context A Manual of Bee Husbandry
New Jersey State Library / reviewed 2026-10-14
historical New Jersey bee-forage list, botanical-name mapping, regional bloom windows