Need help identifying a fast growing tree in my backyard

[natto fire]

Looks like it's a paradise tree, or if not, possibly a poplar of some kind (they tend to grow fast, too).

That's what I am thinking too, although we call them tree of heaven back in NM. They are indeed pest trees as they can send sucker roots all over the place and even a tiny little node can grow into a full tree. It also will grow from sprouts if cut to the stump.

I would make sure that is what this is, and if so eradicate it if you want to enjoy the property in the future.

 

[Analog]

Flame leaf sumac

http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/Display_Onetree.aspx?tid=90

 

[fatpat268]

Cut a branch, take to experts at local garden center for positive ID.

Yea, I just might do that.

I guess it looks like a Sumac from those pictures, I'll ask the local nursery.

 

[BoomerD]

I can't see anyone willingly planting sumac...that stuff is a horribly invasive weed. When I first looked at the OP's pics, sumac was my first thought though...but why would anyone buy and plant sumac?

 

[mizzou]

that does look like a giant weed I keep trying to spray down that grows near my pool

 

[Modelworks]

I showed the picture to a friend who does landscaping and he glanced at it and said right off it is an Ailanthus altissima common name Tree of heaven. I guess some people know tech and others trees , he said it was banned in several states and is considered a noxious weed and very hard to get rid of.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm

 

[natto fire]

I showed the picture to a friend who does landscaping and he glanced at it and said right off it is an Ailanthus altissima common name Tree of heaven. I guess some people know tech and others trees , he said it was banned in several states and is considered a noxious weed and very hard to get rid of.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm

That's my vote as well, and I have seen thousands of those. IIRC sumac does not drop leaves like Tree of heaven. ToH will drop the whole "branch" at once which is shown in OPs picture here:

As well as the smooth bark. A good idea to have a professional look at it as mentioned before, but I am 99% sure you are dealing with Ailanthus. It should be noted these buggers don't always change leaves red when they drop a "branch" but sometimes do, no formula to it either.

 

[Modelworks]

That's my vote as well, and I have seen thousands of those. IIRC sumac does not drop leaves like Tree of heaven.

Yeah, he told me that the sumac have serrated leaves all the way down the leaves and these only have it at the base was an easy way to tell the difference.

 

[olds]

I showed the picture to a friend who does landscaping and he glanced at it and said right off it is an Ailanthus altissima common name Tree of heaven. I guess some people know tech and others trees , he said it was banned in several states and is considered a noxious weed and very hard to get rid of.
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm

I was just going to post this. Here, it's a weed, not a tree.

 

[DrPizza]

My former neighbors had one. It's a weed type of tree. Cut it down.

 

[natto fire]

My former neighbors had one. It's a weed type of tree. Cut it down.

Even if it is cut down, it will sucker/root sprout, making it a yearly chore. In my experience, you have to dig out most, if not all of the root structure. Another way is to poison the stump after you cut it when it is dropping it's "branches" but even this is not 100% effective.

 

[fatpat268]

Good to know.

I'll probably cut it down and dig out the roots (oh fun, lol. I recently dug out 8 ~20y/o red tip photinias... THAT was not fun) in the winter.

Thanks for the advice guys. I much appreciate it.

 

[NewSilkTurtle]

If you want to try to kill the roots without digging them out, saw it off as close to ground level as possible, and paint the stump with "Super Brush" which is a potent herbicide specially made for this kind of thing. Forget glyphosate products (like Round-Up) as they are much too weak. I've had good luck killing off mimosas with Super Brush. You have to paint on the chemical when the cut is fresh and the sap is not rising.