Comments on: The tree everybody loves to hate

By: bevo

bevo — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:39:25 +0000

I live in Bucktown in Chicago and these things are plotted here and there. They stink for blocks and wreak like a fat load…really turns my stomach. Amanda youre welcome to the neighborhood

By: ms

ms — Mon, 05 May 2008 02:37:01 +0000

these trees are all over toronto.

they are horrible, an invasive species, and in some parts of canada they have been “outlawed” (sadly not in ontario yet!).

they have been well known to compromise the foundation of structures near which they grow.

they take over all other flora in their neighborhood, and are actually weeds, and the worst thing about it is that people who don’t know better are happy with them – actually they would be happy with anything growing, as long as they don’t have to do any maintenance….

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:26:45 +0000

I did some more online research, and after reading more and seeing many more pictures, I’ve realized we’ve got these in my neighborhood (southeastern Pennsylvania), and there are seedlings growing all over my yard. There’s a big one right across the street, probably spreading seeds all up and down the street. These things grow up out of cracks in the sidewalk, are impossible to pull out of the ground, and grow incredibly quickly. And now I know what that awful smell is every spring, although the smell reminds me of bleach or chlorine.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:54:33 +0000

I’ve smelled/seen these trees all over the South. We called them cumquats even though we knew that name was already taken.

By: ramon

ramon — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:10:02 +0000

I’ll have to ask my girlfriend what that smells like.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:56:26 +0000

I have always called those trees “Sex Trees” because that was what they smelled like to me. I thought it was just my perception of the smell. I’m glad I’m not alone!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:18:52 +0000

Amanda:

In the right setting, er… you may be right. But trust me- walking down the street minding your own business, it is absolutely revolting. We have these trees in my neighborhood and I avoid those streets when the trees are in bloom.

By: Bre

Bre — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:14:19 +0000

I once dug up a beautiful white-flowering yarrow plant in the wild and planted it in my perennial garden. Every time I was in the garden, I noticed this horrible urine smell. It smelled like a nursing home. After alternately blaming the neigbor’s cat, my dog, and starting to question my husband, I realized it was the yarrow! I dug it up, but not before it propagated itself and tried to invade my garden with eau de nursing home. It took me all summer to get rid of it.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:36:35 +0000

I assume you mean “smells like semen”. Sperm are microscopic, and probably don’t have any odor.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:44:05 +0000

Gee, smell like sperm, called “Tree of Heaven…” Anyone want to bet against the namer being a man? LOL

Sheldon (comment #1), LMAO!!