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Smooth Sumac Bush
Smooth Sumac Bush
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Rhus glabra
Smooth Sumac
The Smooth Sumac is a rugged, fast-growing native shrub known for its striking red fall color, upright form, and ornamental fruit clusters. Found across much of North America, this wildlife-friendly plant is drought-tolerant, erosion-controlling, and adds bold texture to naturalized landscapes.
It’s an ideal choice for slopes, roadsides, or wild borders where beauty and resilience are equally valued.
Smooth Sumac Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Rhus glabra |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Smooth Sumac, Upland Sumac |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 8–15 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 6–12 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Fast (24–36" per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 30–50+ years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 3–9 |
| ❄️ Chill Hours | 500–800 hours |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to light shade |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Poor, dry, rocky, or sandy soils; very adaptable |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to neutral (5.0–7.0) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Low; highly drought-tolerant |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Greenish-yellow upright panicles; early summer |
| 🍒 Fruit Type | Red fuzzy berry clusters; persist through winter |
| 🐝 Pollinators | Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Upright, open, suckering thicket |
| ↔️ Spacing | 8–12 ft apart or closer for naturalized groupings |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Slopes, erosion control, pollinator gardens, wild hedges |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Very low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Supports bees and beneficial pollinators during early summer bloom
🍒 Provides winter food source for birds and small mammals
🌾 Controls erosion on slopes and disturbed soils
🌿 Enhances biodiversity in native and wild gardens
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🍁 Brilliant scarlet-red fall foliage | 🌱 Suckers aggressively, can spread rapidly |
| 🐝 Strong native pollinator support | 🌳 Not ideal for small or manicured landscapes |
| 🍒 Striking fruit clusters that persist into winter | 🍇 Berries are ornamental and not sweet |
| 💧 Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance | ✂️ May require containment or periodic thinning |
| 🧬 Native to most of the U.S.; excellent for rewilding | 🐛 Occasional insect or fungal issues in humid climates |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water well at planting, but ideal for low-input sites
🕳️ Dig a wide, shallow hole and plant at original soil depth
🌾 Mulch around base to suppress weeds and conserve moisture
💦 Minimal watering needed after establishment
✂️ Prune in late winter or early spring to remove old wood or control spread
🧪 Fertilization not usually needed; avoid overfeeding
The Smooth Sumac is a bold, resilient native that turns heads with fall color and supports ecosystems year-round. Best suited for naturalized areas, erosion-prone slopes, or rewilding efforts, this shrub brings both beauty and backbone to the American landscape.
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