How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs.
 
Common Name: Smooth Sumac
Scientific Name: Rhus glabra
Native / Introduced: Native
Main Uses:
~Revegetation of disturbed sites
~Wildlife habitat improvement
~Native landscaping
Height: 3 - 10 feet
Colors: Green, turns red in fall
Flowering Season: Flowers in summer, fruit matures in fall
Soil Types: Most well drained soil
Tolerances: Poor soil, drought
Sun or Shade: Full sun
Minimum Precipitation: 10-14 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 60,000
Optimal Planting Season: Fall
Planting Depth: 1/4 - 1/2 inch
Stratification Requirements: Cold stratify for 2 months if panting in spring
Category: Shrubs
 
Description:
Smooth Sumac is a deciduous shrub that forms thickets through root spreading. During the summer, it grows green leaves and bunches of tiny flowers, in the fall, the flowers turn to fruit and the entire shrub changes to a striking red. This shrub can be found scattered across much of the United States, particularly on open, gravelly, or rocky flats and hillsides.
 
Historically, Native Americans utilized Smooth Sumac for medicinal purposes and to make dyes. Mature plants yield fruit which serve as a valuable food source for various wildlife species, especially birds. The plant can also provide winter forage for wildlife, and different animals incorporate various parts of the Sumac plant into their diets. Notably, Smooth Sumac exhibits the ability to re-sprout after a fire.
 
Additionally, it is employed for revegetation purposes on disturbed sites, as part of shelterbelts, and in native landscaping. Its foliage undergoes a vibrant red transformation in the fall which enhances its appeal for ornamental landscaping.
 
Resources:
NRCS Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=RHGL
NRCS Planting Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_rhgl.pdf
NRCS Fact Sheet: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_rhgl.pdf
Additional Resources: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Rhus.pdf
 
Photo Credit: Melissa McMasters