Sumac Tree: Characteristics & Cultivation

Sumac tree is any of about 35 species of flowering plants in the genus Rhus and related genera in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Sumacs grow in subtropical and temperate regions throughout every continent except Antarctica and South America. Sumac is used as a spice, as a dye, and in medicine.

Sumac Tree grows 15 to 25 feet, though can occasionally reach up to 35 feet (10.7 meters) or more in ideal conditions. It can spread 10 to 20 feet wide due to its suckering habit. Young trees can grow 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) per year, with growth slowing down as the tree matures. Typically, these trees might live for about 20 to 30 years.

Sumac leaves are pinnately compound, the leaflets are opposite or nearly opposite along the rachis, with one terminal leaflet at the end. During sping throughout summer, they’re bright green or sometimes with a yellowish tint. Leaves turn into brilliant shades of red, orange, or purple, making sumac trees particularly beautiful in the fall.

Sumac flowers are small and typically borne in dense clusters or spikes known as panicles. The individual flowers are small, with five greenish-yellow to white or pale yellow petals that are not very conspicuous. There are usually five stamens, sometimes more, which can extend beyond the petals giving the flowers a fluffy appearance. Sumac flowers bloom in spring to early summer, depending on the species and local climate.

The bark of young sumac trees is often smooth but can be slightly rough to the touch due to small lenticels or pores. As the tree ages, the bark becomes more textured. It can range from somewhat smooth to very rough, with deep furrows and ridges, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Typically gray to gray-brown but with age can darken to dark gray or brown, sometimes with reddish hues, especially in species like Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac).

Sumac species are often very hardy, tolerating poor soil, drought, and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. They are used for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and in ornamental plantings for their fall color and unique structure. Some Sumac species, like Staghorn and Smooth Sumac, can be aggressive spreaders through root suckering, which might be considered invasive in certain settings.

Types of Sumac Trees

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

  • Leaves: Pinnately compound with 9-31 leaflets, turning bright red in autumn.
  • Bark: Young branches are covered with dense hairs, resembling deer antlers in velvet.
  • Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, in large, upright, terminal panicles.
  • Fruit: Clusters of bright red, hairy drupes that persist into winter.
  • Growth Habit: Forms thickets from root suckers, can grow up to 15-25 feet tall.
  • USDA Zone: 3-8

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Characteristics:

  • Leaves: Similar to Staghorn Sumac but with hairless branches.
  • Bark: Smooth when young, becoming rough with age.
  • Flowers: Similar to Staghorn Sumac but less hairy.
  • Fruit: Clusters of red drupes, but without the velvety hairs.
  • Growth Habit: Also forms colonies via suckers, slightly smaller than Staghorn, typically 10-20 feet.
  • USDA Zone: 2-8

Winged Sumac or Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum)

  • Leaves: Compound with 9-21 leaflets; each leaf has a wing along the rachis.
  • Bark: Smooth, becoming somewhat scaly with age.
  • Flowers: Borne in large panicles, less dense than other sumacs.
  • Fruit: Red drupes, which are not as showy as Staghorn or Smooth Sumac.
  • Growth Habit: Grows in a more shrub-like form, 10-20 feet tall.
  • USDA Zone: 4-9

Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)

  • Leaves: Trifoliate, with a pleasant fragrance when crushed, especially in the fall.
  • Bark: Red and smooth when young, becoming gray and rough with age.
  • Flowers: Yellow, in small clusters, fragrant.
  • Fruit: Red, fuzzy drupes that attract birds.
  • Growth Habit: Low-growing shrub, usually 2-6 feet tall, often used for ground cover.
  • USDA Zone: 3-9

Desert or Littleleaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla)

  • Leaves: Small, thick, glossy, with 5-15 leaflets, adapted for arid environments.
  • Bark: Smooth and reddish when young, becomes scaly.
  • Flowers: Small and yellowish.
  • Fruit: Small, red drupes.
  • Growth Habit: Shrubby, drought-resistant, up to 15 feet but usually shorter.
  • USDA Zone: 7-10

Factors Affecting Growth Rate

  • Soil: Sumacs thrive in poor to average, well-drained soil. Rich soil can promote faster growth, but they are adaptable to less fertile conditions where other plants might struggle.
  • Water: While sumacs are drought-tolerant once established, sufficient water during the growth period can significantly enhance growth rate. Young plants need regular watering until they establish a good root system.
  • Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for the fastest growth rate. Sumacs in partial shade might grow more slowly.
  • Pruning: Pruning can stimulate growth by encouraging the plant to produce more shoots, but it also directs energy, potentially leading to a bushier but not necessarily taller plant.
  • Climate: In temperate climates with a good growing season, sumacs will grow more rapidly than in cooler or more extreme conditions.
  • Competition: Less competition from other plants can allow sumacs to allocate more resources to growth. Their ability to form colonies via suckering also helps them spread quickly.