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A noxious and invasive plant known as the Tree of Heaven could present hellish problems for Okanagan agriculture if its growth is left unchecked, officials say.

The fast-spreading plant is the preferred breeding ground for a type of insect called the spotted lanternfly that could cause significant damage to crops.

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“The Tree of Heaven gives refuge to this notorious insect,” reads part of a report to be presented Thursday to directors of the Kelowna-based Central Okanagan Regional District.

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“These extremely hazardous pests cause widespread damage by feeding on plant sap and travelling between host plants such as grapes, apple, and other stone fruits,” the report says. “This would lead to significant impacts to B.C.’s grape, fruit tree, and forest industries.”

Directors will be asked to add the Tree of Heaven to a long list of plants considered a nuisance. With such a designation, landowners can be ordered to remove the plant from their property or be fined.

The Tree of Heaven looks like a sumac plant but is native to China. It was brought to North America in the 1800s for gardening purposes, and has established itself in many locations.

“The tree grows quickly (capable of reaching heights of 15 metres in 25 years), develops many suckers, and emits a foul-smelling odour,” says the Invasive Species Council of B.C.

“It can rapidly colonize disturbed areas and suppress plant competition with allelopathic chemicals. When cut, the tree re-spouts vigorously, thus making eradication very difficult, costly and time consuming,” the council says on its website.

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