Heaven Sent Away

The Herald-Leader is reporting that the first major steps have been taken to remove the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) that has invaded the Henry Clay Estate in Kentucky. The trees have been targeted because they are encroaching upon one of the last remaining populations of running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum), a federally listed endangered plant that is so rare, it was once considered to be extinct. Full-grown trees are being cut and carefully removed, so as not to disturb the clover, and volunteers have been working to remove tree-of-heaven seedlings as well as the invasive Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum).