Rhus glabra

Common Names

Smooth Sumac, Rocky Mountain Sumac, Red Sumac, Western Sumac, Common Sumac, Scarlet Sumac, Vinegar Tree

Summary

Smooth sumac is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to most of North America, typically 9–15 ft tall and wide, forming broad colonies via underground root suckers. Leaves are alternate and pinnately compound with 11–31 leaflets; fall color is bright orange to red; flowers are small yellowish-green in dense panicles, and female plants bear dense clusters of bright red, hairy drupes that persist into winter.

It grows best in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soils and is drought-tolerant once established, with hardiness zones 3–9. Spreading by root suckers, it can form dense thickets, so regular removal of unwanted shoots is recommended to limit spread; propagation can be by seed or root cuttings; uses include mass plantings, screening, erosion control, and wildlife habitat, while fruits are consumed by birds and mammals; pests and diseases are generally minimal.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

9-15 ft

Spread

9-15 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Dry, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.5-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Bloom Color

Yellowish-green

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green, red, orange, or yellow in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering, Air layering, Grafting, Root cuttings, Root suckers, Root sprouts, Rhizome/rootstock propagation

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds