Rhus typhina
staghorn sumac

Notes:

Don't overwater or over-fertilize.

Pollen may be allergenic. Noted for weediness despite being native. Rutgers and Dove/Woolridge disagree on deer resistance. Clay tolerance is also debated (Dove/Woolridge and Cal Poly vs. the USDA), as is compacted soil tolerance (Dove/Woolridge vs. USDA).

USDA is an outlier in denying salt tolerance, soundly outnumbered by Dove/Woolridge, Stoecklein, Dirr, and possibly more.

'Laciniata', a female cultivar, offers a finer texture; 'Dissecta' is even finer. 'Bailtiger' (Tiger Eyes), a mutation of 'Laciniata', has won the PHS Gold Medal Award; it is smaller than the species and less aggressive in its suckering, to the point where Missouri BG actually recommends it for borders and foundations (unlike the species). It also has golden foliage. Possible native substitute for small cutleaf Japanese maples?

Sources: Dove/Woolridge, Sunset, Stoecklein, UFL, Rutgers, Missouri BG, UConn, Dirr, Cal Poly, USDA.

Tags:

aromatic twigs/bark
attracts:bees
attracts:birds (ex-humming)
attracts:butterflies
attracts:larval host
attracts:mammals
branches strong
clay tolerant
coarse texture
dioecious
drought tolerant
easy to grow
exposure:full sun
exposure:part shade
fall color notable
fast-growing
form:multi-trunked
form:shrub
form:trainable to single trunk
form:tree
full sun preferred
habit:irregular
habit:oval
habit:rounded
habit:spreading/wide
habit:upright
habit:vase
infertile soil tolerant
litter:minimal
native:eastern North America
open canopy
persistence:deciduous
pest/disease free
PHS Gold Medal Award
pruning not required
roots:low damage potential
salt tolerant
sandy soil tolerant
short-lived
showy flowers
stoloniferous/suckering
type:broadleaf
use:border
use:container
use:mass planting
use:naturalizing
use:screen
use:specimen
water:moderate to little
water:regular
weedy
well-drained soil required
wind tolerant


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