Hillcrest Field Guide

Tree of Heaven vs. Black Walnut vs. Staghorn Sumac

How to distinguish three look-alike plants with compound leaves.

Compare leaflet edges, leaflet bases, scent, stems, fruit, and bark before making an identification.

Open printable field guide (PDF) Back to Trees of Hillcrest

Side-by-side comparison

Three species at a glance

Field guide comparing Tree of Heaven, Black Walnut, and Staghorn Sumac by leaves, scent, fruit, bark, and stems — Tree of Heaven has mostly smooth-edged leaflets with basal glandular lobes; Black Walnut and Staghorn Sumac have serrated leaflets.

Key identifier

Recognizing Tree of Heaven

Tree of Heaven identification guide highlighting the glandular lobes at the base of each leaflet — Look closely at the base of each leaflet for the one or two glandular lobes that distinguish Tree of Heaven.

Field photographs

Leaves, stems, and growth habit

Tree of Heaven compound leaves and leaflets — Tree of Heaven: long compound leaves with mostly smooth-edged leaflets.

Black Walnut compound leaf with serrated leaflets — Black Walnut: narrow, finely serrated leaflets.

Black Walnut compound leaf against a pale background — Black Walnut: the terminal leaflet may be small or absent.

Close view of the fuzzy stem and twigs of Staghorn Sumac — Staghorn Sumac: densely fuzzy stems and twigs are a useful field mark.

A colony of Staghorn Sumac showing red fall foliage — Staghorn Sumac: often grows in colonies and develops vivid red fall color.