Description
Latin: Rhus typhina
Other common names: velvet sumac, hairy sumac
Mature Height: 15 ft
Soil / Climate: Grows well in low nutrient soils, sun and shade. Staghorn sumac grows in gardens, lawns, the edges of forests, and wasteland. It can grow under a wide array of conditions, but is most often found in dry and poor soil on which other plants cannot survive. Tolerates a wide range of climates.
Notes: Long slender leaves change from bright green to orange-red in the autumn. Flowers are dense yellow-green and fragrant. Fruit forms in dense, bright red, compact clusters, and persists thoughout winter. Sumac will spread from root suckers. Some beekeepers use dried sumac bobs as a source of fuel for their smokers. All parts of the staghorn sumac, except the roots, can be used as a natural dye. Branches have a hairy texture.
Wildlife: Fruit is eaten by turkey, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, pheasant, and many others.
Cold Stream Farm supplies Staghorn Sumac shrubs which are grown as bare root seedlings and transplants and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.
Additional information on Rhus typhina can be found on the link: USDA / NRCS PLANTS Database.
Travis –
Took off like gangbusters! And Cold Stream delivers a great product!
I claimed the gardening at the end of our dead end street. It was way overgrown with bush honeysuckle. The city hacked it back, thankfully, and I planted 25 of these babies in place. Only one season of growth, but they more than doubled in height. I’ll still have to prune back the competitors, but this is what I wanted so the honeysuckle doesn’t totally reclaim this land. Looking forward to making Rhus juice pink lemonade.