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any tree belonging to the genus Ailanthus, of the quassia family, especially A. altissima, widely grown in cities.
Historical Examples

She had noticed the day before that the ailanthus was growing dusty.
The Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton, Part 1 (of 10) Edith Wharton

Even the ailanthus blossoms had ceased their snow-like dropping.
K Mary Roberts Rinehart

The June moon had risen, sending broken shafts of white light through the ailanthus to the house door.
K Mary Roberts Rinehart

The ailanthus, or “Tree of Heaven,” is best raised in this way.
Trees of the Northern United States Austin C. Apgar

Recent additions are the eucalyptus, casuarina, Pinus pinea and ailanthus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 Various

The ailanthus worm is a native of Japan and of the north of China.
The Insect World Louis Figuier

Max, cigarette in hand, was coming across, under the ailanthus tree.
K Mary Roberts Rinehart

The ailanthus tree waved in the moonlight and sent sprawling shadows over the wall of K. Le Moyne’s bedroom.
K Mary Roberts Rinehart

This is the ailanthus, a large tree which you have often seen in the village, and which used to be popular as a shade-tree.
Among the Trees at Elmridge Ella Rodman Church

The ailanthus trees were bare at that time, throwing gaunt arms upward to the November sky.
K Mary Roberts Rinehart

noun (pl) -thuses
an E Asian simaroubaceous deciduous tree, Ailanthus altissima, planted in Europe and North America, having pinnate leaves, small greenish flowers, and winged fruits Also called tree of heaven
n.

“tree of heaven,” 1807, Modern Latin, from Amboyna (Malay) ailanto “tree of the gods;” spelling altered by influence of Greek anthos “flower” (see anther).