Tacky? I don't know. Just don't paint the trunk white. (Why do people do that?)

I think it would resemble a palm tree. But you should check out the growth habit of the tree to find out if trimming the branches would cause it to sucker at the ground level. If your zone is too cold for palms, it might be worth a try. Also consider sumac, which has similar leaves to the ailanthus. Many wild sumacs resemble palm trees without any pruning. The cutleaf sumac, if pruned this way, might resemble a tree fern.

In this case it shouldn't sucker because the auxin signal from the growing point (and thus apical dominace) wouldn't be interupted. As for painting it white, I really have no idea what that's about. Baffles me every time I see it.

I saw so many white painted palm trees in mexico. I think it ruins its beauty, but apparently its suppost to keep mosquitoes away!?

Alos when I was little I always used to think that that tree was a palm tree. I would tell everyone, "See some palm trees grow here". I guess I always had an obsession for palms! I would give one Ailanthus masquerading a try. They are techinically weeds though becasue they spread everywhere so I wouldnt plant one than 1. Also I would try to make a barrier so the roots dont start to spread because they will sucker everywhere and can kill trees becasue they grow anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes they even grow (and thrive) in the cracks of sidewalks. Also I would try to make a line like effect on the trunk using a knife. This will scar the trunk and make it look like it has rings like a real palm tree. I would probably space those out every inch or two. And remember that they do lose their leaves in the winter, and also can grow very fast.

Good luck and post pics!

Dr. David Francko mentions Alianthus in 'Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths' as a cold hardy plant with a tropicalesque appearance. It's sort of a junk plant, but still quite attractive, IMO.

ALright, I transplanted a couple of these from a waste lot to my yard. Hopefully they'll take!