Smooth Sumac: A Guide to Growing and Enjoying This Landscape Shrub
If you are looking for a versatile shrub that can enhance your landscape and provide food and habitat for wildlife, look no further than the smooth sumac (Rhus glabra). This deciduous shrub, which is native to North America, has yellowish-green flowers that bloom in the summer, followed by red drupes that ripen in the fall.
The leaves, which are feather-like and have serrated edges, turn a brilliant red, orange, or yellow in the autumn. But smooth sumac is not just a pretty face: it has a long history of practical uses, from making sumac spice to dyeing fabric yellow.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to growing and enjoying smooth sumac in your garden or natural area.
Characteristics and Ornamental Features
Smooth sumac is a medium-sized shrub that can reach a height of 10-20 feet and a width of 10-15 feet. It forms thickets by spreading through suckers, which can be controlled by pruning.
The bark is grayish-brown and smooth, hence the name “smooth” sumac. The flowers, which appear in clusters called panicles, attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
The fruit, which is technically a drupe, contains a hard seed and a juicy coating that is rich in vitamin C. The fruit is edible but tart, so it is often used to make drinks or mixed with other fruits.
The leaves and berries have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, from diarrhea to fever. In terms of ornamental features, smooth sumac is a great choice for a naturalistic or wildflower garden, as it blends well with other native plants and provides a vertical element.
The fall foliage is especially striking, and can be enhanced by planting smooth sumac against a dark background or in combination with other fall-blooming plants such as asters. Smooth sumac also attracts bird species such as thrushes, waxwings, and grouse, which feed on the fruit and use the shrub for cover and nesting.
Habitat and Wildlife Value
Smooth sumac is found in a wide range of habitats, from dry uplands to wetlands and along roadsides and fence lines. It prefers full sun or part shade and well-drained soils, but can tolerate drought, poor soils, and cold winters.
Smooth sumac is also known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit other plants in the vicinity. As mentioned earlier, smooth sumac has a significant wildlife value, as it provides food and cover for a variety of bird species and small mammals.
The fruit is an important winter food source for birds such as cedar waxwings and northern flickers, while the leaves and twigs are browsed by deer and rabbits. Humans can also harvest the fruit and use it to make sumac spice, which has a tangy, lemony flavor and is used in Middle Eastern cuisine.
The dried fruit can also be used to make a yellow dye.
Growing Guide for Smooth Sumac
Sunlight and Temperature Requirements
Smooth sumac prefers full sun to part shade and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from USDA growing zone 3 to 9. It can survive temperatures as low as -40F and can withstand summer heat and drought.
However, in colder climates, smooth sumac may die back to the ground each winter and resprout in the spring. This can be prevented by mulching the base of the shrub with organic matter such as leaves or straw.
Water and Soil Requirements
Smooth sumac prefers moist, well-drained soils but can also tolerate drought and poor soils. It is not picky about pH, but prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil.
If you have heavy or compacted soil, you can improve drainage and fertility by incorporating compost or other organic matter into the soil. Smooth sumac does not require regular fertilization, but can benefit from a slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring.
Pruning and Propagation Techniques
Smooth sumac does not require much pruning, but dead branches and stems should be removed in late winter or early spring. If you wish to control the spread of the shrub, you can cut back the suckers to the ground or to a few inches above the ground.
Smooth sumac can also be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Stem cuttings should be taken in late summer or early fall and rooted in a well-draining soil mix with bottom heat.
Seed germination requires scarification or stratification to break the dormancy of the hard seed coat. Sow the seed in a shallow furrow and cover lightly with soil.
In conclusion, smooth sumac is a versatile shrub that provides both aesthetic and ecological benefits. Whether you plant it for its ornamental features, its wildlife value, or its practical uses, smooth sumac is sure to enrich your garden or natural area.
Follow our growing guide and enjoy the beauty and bounty of this native shrub.
Troubleshooting and Pest Control for Smooth Sumac
While smooth sumac is a relatively easy shrub to grow, there are some problems that can arise, particularly with invasiveness and pests. Here are some common issues and ways to address them:
Growing Problems and Invasiveness
One of the main challenges of growing smooth sumac is its tendency to spread by root suckers, which can quickly form thick shrubs or colonies if left unchecked. To control the spread of smooth sumac, you can prune the suckers to the ground or dig them up.
Regular pruning can also help keep the shrub in check and promote new growth. However, if you are looking to use smooth sumac for erosion control or wildlife habitat, you may want to allow it to spread naturally.
Another issue with smooth sumac is its invasiveness in some regions, especially in disturbed areas or near water bodies. Smooth sumac can outcompete native species and alter the hydrology of wetlands.
If you are planting smooth sumac in areas where it may become invasive, you may want to choose cultivars or native species that are less aggressive or plant it in containers.
Pests and Diseases
Like any plant, smooth sumac can be vulnerable to pests and diseases. Here are some common ones to watch out for:
– Sumac gall aphid: This pest causes small galls or bumps on the stems and leaves of smooth sumac.
The galls are not harmful to the plant, but they can be unsightly. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings can help control the aphids, or you can prune off the infested stems.
– Broad mites: These tiny sucking insects can cause leaves to curl and turn brown. They are difficult to see without magnification, but you may notice the symptoms of infestation.
Neem oil or insecticidal soap can help control the mites. – Leaf spot and rust: Smooth sumac is susceptible to fungal diseases such as leaf spot and rust, which can cause yellowed or spotted leaves and premature leaf drop.
Regular pruning, removal of debris, and applying fungicides can help prevent these diseases. – Beneficial bugs: Many insects and other arthropods benefit from smooth sumac, including various bees, wasps, butterflies, and moths.
These insects can help pollinate plants and provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smooth Sumac
Edibility and Toxicity of Smooth Sumac
Q: Are the berries of smooth sumac edible? A: Yes, the berries are edible and have a sour flavor.
They can be used to make a drink or mixed with other fruits. They can also be dried and ground to make a spice that is popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Q: Is smooth sumac poisonous to humans or animals? A: No, smooth sumac is not toxic, but the berries may cause digestive upset if consumed in large quantities.
The leaves and stems of the plant contain a compound called urushiol, which can irritate the skin of some people, similar to poison ivy.
Maintenance and Growth Rate of Smooth Sumac
Q: Is smooth sumac a messy tree that requires a lot of maintenance? A: Smooth sumac has compound leaves that can produce a lot of debris, especially in the fall.
However, the shrub does not require much pruning or fertilization, and can tolerate some neglect. Regular pruning of dead or diseased branches can help keep the shrub looking tidy.
Smooth sumac is a fast-growing tree that can reach its full size in just a few years. Q: Does smooth sumac prefer full sun or part shade?
A: Smooth sumac can tolerate both full sun and part shade, but prefers some shade in hot climates. It can also grow in a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay.
Wildlife Value of Smooth Sumac
Q: What bird species are attracted to smooth sumac? A: Smooth sumac provides food and habitat for a variety of bird species, including thrushes, waxwings, and grouse.
The fruit is an important winter food source for many birds, as well as some small mammals and insects. The dense foliage of smooth sumac also provides cover and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
In conclusion, smooth sumac is a valuable and versatile shrub that can enhance your landscape and benefit wildlife. By addressing any growing problems and pests effectively, you can enjoy the full benefits of smooth sumac, from its ornamental features to its practical uses.
Keep in mind that smooth sumac can be invasive in some regions, so it is important to monitor its growth and spread and take appropriate measures if necessary. With proper care and attention, smooth sumac can be a long-lasting and rewarding addition to your garden or natural area.
In conclusion, smooth sumac is a valuable and versatile shrub that provides both aesthetic and ecological benefits. It can enhance your landscape, benefit wildlife, and provide practical uses, from making sumac spice to dyeing fabric yellow.
Remember to address growing problems and pests to fully enjoy the shrub’s benefits. Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you better understand smooth sumac:
– Q: Are the berries of smooth sumac edible?
A: Yes, the berries are edible and have a sour flavor. – Q: Is smooth sumac poisonous to humans or animals?
A: No, smooth sumac is not toxic, but the berries may cause digestive upset if consumed in large quantities. – Q: Does smooth sumac prefer full sun or part shade?
A: Smooth sumac can tolerate both full sun and part shade, but prefers some shade in hot climates. – Q: What bird species are attracted to smooth sumac?
A: Smooth sumac provides food and habitat for a variety of bird species, including thrushes, waxwings, and grouse.