Recognize tree of heaven by its very large, alternate compound leaves, often 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) long, with many leaflets and a small lobe with gland-tipped teeth at each leaflet base.
Also check the stout, smooth twigs and the broad, upright crown formed by fast, coarse branching.
Use a clear photo to confirm what plant you have.
Clear images work best. Avoid photos taken too close or too far away
Check the overall leaf structure, bark, and seed clusters first.
Dense hanging seed clusters can confirm the ID when present.
Ailanthus altissima shows clear visual shifts from seedling to fruiting adult, aiding identification.
In late spring to early summer, Ailanthus altissima shows very large compound leaves and loose clusters of small yellow-green flowers at branch tips. By late summer into fall, hanging winged seeds become prominent and often persist after leaf drop. In winter, the stout twigs, big leaf scars, and coarse open branching are easier to see.
Several pinnate-leaved trees are often mistaken for tree of heaven.
black walnut(Juglans nigra)
Both have large compound leaves. Black walnut leaflets are finely toothed all along the edges. Ailanthus leaves usually have mostly smooth leaflet edges, with 1-2 coarse lobes near each leaflet base.
sumac(Rhus spp.)
Sumacs can form thickets and have similar long compound leaves. They are usually smaller, shrubby trees with toothed leaflets and dense upright red fruit clusters, not dangling winged seeds.
Chinese toon(Toona sinensis)
This tree also has very large pinnate leaves. Its leaflet margins are usually toothed or wavy, while Ailanthus typically has smoother margins except for basal lobes.
Ailanthus altissima is native to China and Taiwan. In its native range it occurs in lowland to lower montane areas, often along forest edges, open slopes, disturbed ground, roadsides, streambanks, and around settlements. Habitat is useful for identification because this species commonly appears in sunny, human-disturbed places rather than deep woodland. Finding a fast-colonizing tree on vacant lots, rail corridors, walls, or urban edges can help narrow an ID toward Ailanthus altissima, especially outside managed plantings.
Confirm Your Plant Species
Use Botan to double-check your plant ID
Use Botan to compare a photo and help confirm the plant, which can reduce mix-ups before you make decisions.
The most reliable clue is the leaflet base. Each leaflet usually has one or two blunt teeth near the stem, each with a small gland. That gland-tipped notch is central to Ailanthus altissima identification.
Upload a photo to identify the plant, then get species-specific care information, safety notes, and common problems.
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