Another identifying feature of sumacs is their cone-shaped white or green flower panicles, 24” (60 cm) long that mature into clusters of red fuzzy berries. Sumacs have large, characteristic fern-like leaves made up of 3 to 31 leaflets. Identify sumac trees by looking at the leaves, flowers, and berries. Also, poison sumac tends to grow as a single, stand-alone plant, not in groups like staghorn sumacs. On the contrary, poison sumacs grow in wet areas or swamps. The twigs of sumac trees (Rhus) have fine hairs (left) whereas poison sumac has smooth twigs (right)Īnother identifying feature of sumac shrubs with edible red berries is that they typically grow in dry areas.

In spring, cone-like green or white flowers appear, followed by clusters of red edible berries, before the sumac tree’s foliage transforms from deep green color into magnificent red, orange, reddish-purple, and purple colors. Some of the sumac tree varieties work as attractive specimen trees.Ī sumac tree has decorative appeal throughout the seasons. Sumac are popular landscaping trees that grow as beautiful hedges, borders, or screens. Sumac trees have plenty of ornamental value for front or backyards. Most sumac trees have a dome-shaped, spreading crown. The native tobacco sumac ( Rhus virens) is an evergreen variety with glossy green, leathery leaves.

Most species of sumac, like the staghorn sumac, fragrant sumac, and smooth sumac, are deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall. This feature means that sumacs can grow as multi-stemmed shrubs if you don’t remove the suckers. Hardy sumac trees, like the staghorn sumac, have a fast growth rate-growing as much as 24” (60 cm) a year.Ī characteristic of sumacs is their suckering growth habit. Native North American sumac trees grow in USDA zones 3 through 9. Sumac trees and shrubs grow in most soil types and are often seen growing in dry and poor soil. There are around 150 species of sumac, with 14 being native to the US. Sumacs are flowering woody trees and shrubs belonging to the genus Rhus and cashew family Anacardiaceae. Sumacs are flowering trees and shrubs used in landscaping gardens due to their beautiful autumn foliage Due to their spectacular fall colors, sumac shrubs and trees are popular garden landscaping plants. Descriptions and pictures of sumac tree leaves, flowers, and berries will help you recognize these plants in landscapes. This article is a guide to identifying the common types of sumac trees and shrubs. But it is easy to tell edible sumacs apart from the poison sumacs by looking at the berries, leaves, and twigs.

There is also a shrub called the poison sumac ( Toxicodendron vernix), which produces small poisonous white berries. Sumac trees such as the staghorn sumac ( Rhus typhina), smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra), and fragrant sumac ( Rhus aromatica) produce edible red berry-like drupes. Trees and shrubs in the genus Rhus grow between 3 and 33 ft. In the fall, sumac trees and shrubs turn brilliant autumn shades of red, orange, or purple. Sumacs are identified by their fern-like pinnate leaves, conical clusters (panicles) of white or green flowers, and fuzzy red berries. Sumac (genus Rhus) is a group of flowering small trees and shrubs. Email Pinterest Facebook Twitter Linkedin

Red purple tree