Identification

An invasive, fast-growing tree that can reach up to 65 feet. 

It can develop sideways roots to sprout stems and form thickets. 

It grows primarily in open areas, including along forests, roads, rivers, and urban areas. 

Bark and Leaves

Bark is smooth and gray and can have a shallow diamond-shaped pattern. It is comparable to cantaloupe skin.

Stems have large heart-to shield-shaped leaf scars.
Leaves alternate on the stem with 10 to 27 leaflets.

Leaflets are 1.5 to 6 inches long and have smooth edges except on each side near base, have 1 to 3 rounded teeth, each with a gland bump underneath.

It smells like rancid peanut butter or popcorn when crushed.

Flowers and Seeds

Trees have either male or female flowers. 

Flowers are small, yellow-green, and in clusters.

Female flowers develop a single seed in the middle of an oblong, papery wing that can be slightly twisted. 

Seeds are 1 to 2 inches long, yellow-green, then turn pinkish tan and brown. Seeds can stay on branch tips through winter.

Look-A likes

Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac look like tree-of-heaven. They are large shrubs with many stems
Leaflets have toothed edges lacking glands at base. They have dense clusters of hairy, reddish fruits
Smooth sumac is native to eastern Washington and can grow up to 10 feet. Staghorn sumac is planted in Washington and can grow 15 to 20 feet.

Black Walnut can also resemble like tree-of-heaven. It has gray-black bark with narrow creases, leaflets have toothed edges lacking glands at base. It may have round fruit in a green husk.