The tree of heaven is really a slightly more exotic form of the ash, though the differences are very subtle. This tree, which originates from China, grows at a slightly different angle and has a slightly wider berth. The thing which distinguishes it from the ash the most is that it has teeth jutting out towards the base of its leaves or leaflets since, as I explained earlier, the leaf is actually the arrangement of leaflets in the case of this pinnately compound type tree (see tree identification section). The bark is similar to the ash, the nuts are similar, the formation of leaves is similar; it is just those teeth jutting at the base of the leaves that makes the difference. Well, a true expert could go on and talk about the shape, but we are looking for the easier methods.

Note the marked tooth towards the base.