Key Facts
- Genus of woody shrubs and small trees in the cashew family Anacardiaceae
- Leaves are pinnate and many species display bright fall color
- Produces dense clusters of red or dark drupes that persist into fall and feed wildlife
- Tolerant of poor, dry, and rocky soils and used for erosion control and naturalizing
- Spreads by seed and by root suckers and can form thickets
- Used ornamentally and some species are processed as a tart spice
- Flowers are small and typically yellowish or greenish in late spring to summer
- Carefully distinguish garden sumacs from poison sumac of the Toxicodendron group
Sumac is a group of woody shrubs and small trees in the cashew family prized for pinnate leaves, bright fall color, and dense clusters of red fruit that feed birds. Many species tolerate poor dry soils and spread by seed and root suckers, so place them where naturalizing or thicket formation is acceptable.
Identification
Leaves are pinnate with multiple leaflets and many species show strong fall color. Flowers are small and often yellowish or greenish in late spring to summer and give way to dense clusters of red or dark drupes that persist into fall. Ornamental types often reach about 10 to 25 feet tall depending on species.
Where to grow and best uses
Use sumac for erosion control, massed naturalizing, wildlife food or as a specimen for seasonal color. They perform best in full sun for optimal flowering and fall color, and tolerate partial shade. Avoid heavy wet soils because poor drainage causes decline, and confirm local species hardiness before planting.
Planting and spacing
Plant sumac where a 10 to 20 foot spread is acceptable since many species sucker and form colonies. Space plants at least as far apart as their typical mature spread to avoid overcrowding. Plant during the cooler part of the growing season in your area to help establishment, often spring or fall in temperate climates.
Soil light and watering
Sumac prefers well drained soils and tolerates poor, dry, rocky or sandy sites. Water regularly while plants establish but reduce irrigation once established because these species are drought tolerant. Constant wet soil or poor drainage leads to poor vigor and can invite root problems in susceptible plants.
After flowering care and pruning
Remove dead wood and thin crowded stems to maintain form and air circulation. Cut back undesirable shoots at the root to slow spread and remove spent flowering stalks if you prefer a tidier look. Pruning during the dormant season makes it easier to see structure and to remove root suckers.
Controlling spread and propagation
Sumac spreads by seed and by root suckers and can form thickets, so containment is a common management need. Control options include regular removal of new suckers, digging or cutting them at their origin, and installing root barriers where spread would be a problem. Propagation can be by seed, division, or hardwood cuttings.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Sumac grow?
- Growth varies by species but many establish quickly and can form colonies via suckers within a few years.
- Are sumac berries edible?
- Some species produce tart drupes used as a spice but confirm species identity before any consumption and avoid confusion with poison sumac.
- Is sumac invasive?
- They can naturalize and form thickets through suckering and seed spread, so treat them as potentially spreading plants.
- Will sumac harm people or pets?
- Ornamental sumacs can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people and mild stomach upset in pets if ingested. Distinguish garden types from poison sumac which causes severe reactions.
- How do I stop suckers from spreading?
- Remove suckers by cutting or digging at their base, maintain a mulch free ring around the trunk, or install a root barrier to limit spread.
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