This small rhizomatous tree is widespread across southeastern states, and more or less adventive north of the glacial limit (Cr). In Ky it is concentrated in submesic sites on acid soils. TIts bipinnate or tripinnate leaves are the largest of any temperate tree in eastern North America: mostly 70-120 cm long and 45-60 cm wide. (It is rivalled by the bipinnate leaves of Gymnocladus dioicus: mostly 30-90 cm long and 45-60 cm wide.) The similar East Asian species, A. elata (Miq.) Seeman, has escaped from cultivation to become invasive from southern New Engand and New York to the midwest, but it is not yet known in Ky. (Moore et al 2009; eddmaps.org; K).