Spotted Lanternfly & Tree of Heaven Removal in the Lehigh Valley

JUNE 17, 2026 • PEST & TREE REMOVAL

Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven Removal in the Lehigh Valley: A Homeowner's Guide

How to spot the invasive Tree of Heaven, why it draws spotted lanternflies to your property, and when professional removal is the smartest move for homeowners in Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, and Berks Counties.

If you live in the Lehigh Valley, you have almost certainly seen them: clouds of red-and-black insects swarming a tree trunk, sticky honeydew coating your deck, and black sooty mold spreading across plants you used to be proud of. The spotted lanternfly has become one of the most frustrating problems for homeowners across Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, and Berks Counties. What many property owners do not realize is that the bug almost always has a partner in crime growing right in their own yard: an invasive tree called the Tree of Heaven.

At A Perfect Image LLC, we get calls every summer from homeowners who are overwhelmed by lanternflies and unsure what to do about the fast-growing tree that keeps attracting them. This guide explains how to identify the Tree of Heaven, why removing it matters for spotted lanternfly control, what the removal process actually involves, and how to do it the right way so the tree does not come back.

What Is the Tree of Heaven (and Why It Matters Here)

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a fast-growing invasive tree that was brought to the United States more than two centuries ago and has spread aggressively across Pennsylvania. It thrives in disturbed soil, along fence lines, near foundations, in alleyways, and along the edges of yards and lots. It can grow several feet in a single season, which is exactly why it shows up uninvited in so many Lehigh Valley properties.

The reason it matters so much right now is simple: Tree of Heaven is the preferred host plant of the spotted lanternfly. Lanternflies are drawn to it to feed and lay their eggs, and a single mature tree can support a massive population. If you have a lanternfly problem that never seems to go away, there is a good chance an Ailanthus is growing on or near your property and acting as a breeding ground.

How to Identify Tree of Heaven on Your Property

Tree of Heaven is often mistaken for native trees like sumac, walnut, or hickory, so it helps to know what to look for before assuming you have something harmless. Here are the most reliable signs:

• Rapid growth and a weedy habit. Tree of Heaven grows extremely fast and often sprouts in places no one planted it, including cracks in pavement and right against your home's foundation.

• Smooth, pale gray bark. Young trees have smooth bark that looks a little like cantaloupe skin, while older trunks develop light vertical ridges.

• Long compound leaves with a notch. Each leaf has 10 to 40 leaflets along a central stem, and near the base of each leaflet there is a small rounded notch with a gland. This notch is one of the best ways to tell it apart from native lookalikes.

• A strong, unpleasant odor. When you crush a leaf or cut a branch, Tree of Heaven gives off a distinct smell often compared to rotten peanuts or burnt rubber. This is one of its most recognizable features.

• Clusters of seeds in late summer. Female trees produce large clusters of papery, twisted seeds that can turn reddish, and a single tree can release hundreds of thousands of seeds a year.

• Suckers and shoots everywhere. If you see dozens of small identical saplings popping up around one larger tree, that is a classic sign of Ailanthus spreading through its root system.

If you are not sure what you are looking at, that is completely normal. Misidentifying this tree is common, and getting it wrong can lead to a removal that actually makes the problem worse. A quick on-site look from an experienced crew will confirm what you are dealing with before any work begins.

Why Removing Tree of Heaven Helps Control Spotted Lanternflies

Spraying lanternflies on contact feels satisfying, but it rarely solves the problem long term. As long as their favorite host tree is standing on your property, new lanternflies will keep arriving to feed and lay egg masses every fall. Each egg mass holds 30 to 50 eggs, so a single overlooked tree can fuel next year's swarm.

Removing Tree of Heaven takes away the buffet. While it will not eliminate every lanternfly in the neighborhood overnight, it dramatically reduces how attractive your property is to them and breaks the breeding cycle that keeps the population growing year after year. Combined with scraping egg masses in fall and winter, targeted removal is one of the most effective long-term steps a homeowner can take.

The Right Way to Remove Tree of Heaven (Don't Just Cut It Down)

Here is the single most important thing to understand: simply cutting down a Tree of Heaven usually makes the problem worse. The tree has an aggressive root system, and when it is cut without proper treatment, it responds by sending up dozens or even hundreds of new shoots and root suckers, sometimes far from the original trunk. People who try the quick do-it-yourself route often end up with a bigger infestation than they started with.

The professional approach is to treat the tree with an appropriate herbicide first, allow it time to move into the root system, and only then cut and remove it. In Pennsylvania, the most effective treatment timing is mid- to late summer, when the tree is naturally moving energy down to its roots. This is also why a one-time visit rarely finishes the job: established stands often need follow-up monitoring the next season to catch any regrowth before it takes hold.

Because this work involves herbicides, sharp tools, climbing, and heavy limbs, it is genuinely dangerous to attempt without training and the right equipment. A licensed and insured tree service handles the treatment, the takedown, the stump, and the cleanup safely and in a way that actually keeps the tree from coming back.

What the Removal Process Looks Like

Every property is different, but a typical Tree of Heaven removal follows a clear sequence so you know what to expect from start to finish:

• Free on-site assessment. A crew confirms the tree is actually Ailanthus, checks its size and location, and looks for hazards like power lines, fences, and structures nearby.

• Treatment plan. For mature trees, herbicide is applied so the root system is killed rather than triggered to resprout. Smaller seedlings may be handled differently.

• Safe takedown. Once treatment has done its job, the tree is cut down in sections, with special care taken near homes, decks, and utility lines.

• Stump grinding. The remaining stump is ground below ground level so you can reclaim the space and prevent it from becoming a trip hazard or pest magnet.

• Cleanup and hauling. Branches, logs, and debris are chipped or hauled away, leaving your yard clean and ready to enjoy.

• Follow-up check. Because Tree of Heaven is persistent, a good crew will advise you on watching for suckers and can return to treat any regrowth.

How Much Does Tree of Heaven Removal Cost in the Lehigh Valley?

Cost depends on the size of the tree, how close it is to buildings or power lines, how easy it is to access, and whether stump grinding and herbicide treatment are included. As a general guide for Pennsylvania, smaller tree removals often run a few hundred dollars, while large or hard-to-reach trees can range from roughly $1,000 to $3,000 or more. Specialized situations that require a crane or careful work near a house sit at the higher end of that range.

Tree of Heaven can also cost more than an average tree because proper removal includes herbicide treatment and follow-up to stop regrowth. The good news is that doing it right one time is far cheaper than paying to cut the same tree again and again as it resprouts. The only way to know your real number is a free, no-obligation estimate based on your specific tree and property.

Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has no single statewide tree removal law. Whether you need a permit depends entirely on your municipality, and rules vary from one township or borough to the next across Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, and Berks Counties. Some areas require a permit for trees above a certain trunk diameter, for trees near the public right-of-way, or for properties in certain zoning districts. Many municipalities also make exceptions for trees that are dead, dangerous, or causing an emergency.

Because the requirements are local and easy to get wrong, it pays to work with a company that knows the area. At A Perfect Image LLC, we help our clients understand what their municipality requires and handle the paperwork where needed, so removal stays hassle-free and fully above board.

Why Lehigh Valley Homeowners Choose A Perfect Image LLC

When you are dealing with an invasive tree and a stubborn lanternfly problem, you want a crew that does the job once and does it right. Here is what sets us apart for homeowners and businesses across the Lehigh Valley:

• Licensed and insured, so your property and our crew are always protected.

• Local knowledge of Lehigh Valley municipalities, permit rules, and the way lanternflies and Tree of Heaven behave in our area.

• Full-service capability, including tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, debris hauling, chipping, and lot clearing, so one team handles everything.

• 24/7 emergency response for storm-damaged or hazardous trees that cannot wait.

• Free, honest estimates with no pressure and no surprise charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing one Tree of Heaven get rid of all my spotted lanternflies?

It will make a real difference, but it is not a magic switch. Removing the host tree takes away their favorite feeding and egg-laying site on your property and breaks the local breeding cycle. For best results, pair removal with scraping any egg masses you find in fall and winter.

Can I just cut the tree down myself?

We strongly recommend against it. Cutting Tree of Heaven without herbicide treatment usually causes it to send up many new shoots and root suckers, leaving you with a worse problem. The work also involves real safety risks. A licensed crew removes it correctly the first time.

What time of year is best to remove Tree of Heaven?

Treatment is most effective in mid- to late summer, when the tree moves energy to its roots, so this is an ideal time to start the process. That said, hazardous trees should be addressed right away regardless of season.

Do you remove the stump too?

Yes. We offer stump grinding so you can reclaim the space, avoid trip hazards, and keep pests away. We also haul off the debris and clean up the work area.

Take Back Your Yard This Season

Spotted lanternflies and Tree of Heaven feed off each other, and as long as that host tree is standing, the problem keeps coming back. The most effective step you can take is to remove the tree the right way, kill the roots so it does not return, and clear the stump and debris for good. Done correctly, it protects your other trees, your home, and your peace of mind for years to come.

If you think you have a Tree of Heaven on your property, or you are simply tired of fighting lanternflies every summer, let our local crew take a look. We will confirm what you are dealing with and give you a clear, no-pressure plan.

Call or text A Perfect Image LLC at (484) 534-8733 for a FREE estimate, or reach our office at (484) 664-0074. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, and Berks Counties, and we are available 24/7 for emergencies.

Ready to schedule? Visit our Services page to see everything we offer, or head to our Contact page to request your free estimate today.