Great Design Tree: Staghorn Sumac
This fall superstar burns bright red and orange in the landscape — just keep an eye on its spread while you watch the show
Don't let poison sumac (Rhus vernix) give all sumacs an undeserved bad reputation. The sumac genus has plenty of wonderful species and varieties for your landscape that greatly outnumber the poison one.
One such species is the Staghorn sumac. These trees are native to eastern North America, particularly New England, but just about every state is host to some native species of sumac. They grow fast, establish themselves very quickly and, in the right conditions, spread into thickets through their root systems.
Some of their less desirable traits for residential situations have been rectified with various cultivars, while some of the more desirable traits have been accentuated.
One such species is the Staghorn sumac. These trees are native to eastern North America, particularly New England, but just about every state is host to some native species of sumac. They grow fast, establish themselves very quickly and, in the right conditions, spread into thickets through their root systems.
Some of their less desirable traits for residential situations have been rectified with various cultivars, while some of the more desirable traits have been accentuated.
Distinguishing traits. Staghorn sumacs have long, compound leaves that give them a tropical look, and they bloom midsummer with 4- to 8-inch-long, greenish-yellow panicles. Full-grown plants have umbrella shapes and will colonize quickly via suckering and birds' spreading seeds.
These sumacs are known for their fiery fall color and clusters of red seeds. Sumacs provide some of the brightest oranges and deepest reds in the autumn landscape.
How to use it. "I like the tropical look of the foliage and the bare trunks," says landscape designer Lori Scott. "It attains its height quickly, then doesn't get taller." Staghorn sumacs can spread like wildfire, particularly in its native East Coast habitats. Colonies of the plants are easy to grow for effective windbreaks and to stabilize steep banks, preventing erosion.
"I like this small tree in certain situations, only where it is rarely irrigated and where the root zone will not be disturbed (to limit suckering somewhat)," says Scott. "It can be invasive in some areas, but that isn't a problem in the Pacific Northwest."
"I like this small tree in certain situations, only where it is rarely irrigated and where the root zone will not be disturbed (to limit suckering somewhat)," says Scott. "It can be invasive in some areas, but that isn't a problem in the Pacific Northwest."
Hunter Ten Broek of Waterwise Landscapes in New Mexico appreciates sumac as well. "Here in the Southwest we have desert, grassland, riparian and mountain forest ecosystems, and there are a variety of sumacs that thrive in these varied conditions," he says. "I design with three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata) and littleleaf sumac (Rhus microphylla) for their berries and beautiful fall foliage, and because they make great screens."
Shown here: Staghorn sumac variety Rhus typhina 'Tigereye Bailtiger'. It has more intricate leaves and a rounded form that gets to be about 6 feet high and wide.
Shown here: Staghorn sumac variety Rhus typhina 'Tigereye Bailtiger'. It has more intricate leaves and a rounded form that gets to be about 6 feet high and wide.
Tiger eyes sumac (upper right) gives a garden bright color, intricate leaves and an exotic, tropical look.
"Prostrate and low-grow sumacs make wonderful ground covers," says Broek. "Cutleaf (Rhus typhina 'Laciniata’) and tiger eyes sumacs have intricate colorful foliage and fill in to form gorgeous thickets."
Shown here: Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' has a pleasing fragrance.
Shown here: Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' has a pleasing fragrance.
Planting notes. Rhus typhina can take over your yard if you're not careful, so I would not recommend planting it with the expectation of having one ornamental tree.
- The root systems spread quickly and far, so dig a hole that is about three to four times the size of the root ball and about the same depth as the root ball's height.
- Shake out the root ball and loosen the roots.
- Place the tree in the hole and fill it in about halfway with soil. Fill the rest of the hole with water, let it drain, then add the rest of the soil.
- Spread 3 inches of mulch atop the soil but do not let it touch the tree's trunk.
- If conditions are dry or if you plant during the summer, make sure the tree is watered regularly, but be careful not to overwater.
- To keep the tree from spreading, prune any suckers that emerge from the base.
Common name: Staghorn sumac
USDA zones: 3 to 8 (find your zone)
Water requirement: While you'll want to water it for a while after you plant it, this tree is quite tolerant of dry conditions.
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Up to 20 feet high and wide
Benefits and tolerances: These plants are very tolerant of poor soils, can survive on little water and can stand up to high winds. Sumacs are quite pest tolerant and provide food and habitat for wildlife.
Seasonal interest: Summer flowers and vibrant fall color; red berry drupes and antler-like shape of bare branches add winter interest.
When to plant: You can plant this anytime from after the last frost to about six weeks before the first frost. Planting in the fall requires the least amount of watering.