# Tree/Fern ID

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 30, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427 "2015-08-30T20:18:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ZomZom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zomzom/32/5620_2.png) [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427/1 "2015-08-30T20:18:58Z")

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[This tree or fern](https://flic.kr/p/x4ZJqV) is in my Maryland back yard. It’s easily 10 feet tall. It looks too tropical for here but it does fine and comes back every summer. Any input on what the name is would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427/2 "2015-08-30T20:40:12Z")

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Looks like an ailanthus (tree of heaven).

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**Author:** ![ZomZom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zomzom/32/5620_2.png) [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427/3 "2015-08-30T20:46:26Z")

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Thank you, barbitu8, I think you are correct.

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**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427/4 "2015-08-30T21:02:21Z")

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Careful. If you cut it down, nine more will sprout up from the roots, or so the old folks say. Also they drink human blood and kidnap children.

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tree-fern-id/729427/5 "2015-08-31T00:30:18Z")

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Kill it before it multiplies.

It is plotting to spread its seedlings all over your yard, the neighbors’ yards, cracks in sidewalks, driveways and patios.

Waste no time!  
They are approaching.  
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter  
Strike by night!  
They are defenceless.  
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom.

Still they’re invincible,  
Still they’re immune to all our herbicidal battering.