Staghorn sumac

Profile

Family

Anacardiaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

6 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

fast

Lifespan

70 years

First yield

after 5 years

Hardiness

zone 4–8

Shade tolerance

light shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very dry – very moist

pH

4.5 – 7.5

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit is cooked to make pies due to its sour taste. The small fruit, with little pulp, grows in large clusters, making it easy to harvest. Soaking the fruit in hot or cold water for 10-30 minutes creates a refreshing drink similar to lemonade. Avoid boiling the mixture to prevent the release of tannins, which would make the drink astringent.

Medicinal: Staghorn sumac was traditionally utilized by indigenous tribes in North America for its astringent properties. While not commonly used in contemporary herbal medicine, various parts of the plant have medicinal benefits. The bark is known for its antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue, and tonic qualities, with applications in treating conditions such as diarrhea, fever, hemorrhoids, and general weakness. The inner bark is particularly esteemed for its efficacy in addressing hemorrhoids. The roots possess astringent, blood-purifying, diuretic, and emetic properties, with historical use in treating venereal diseases and boils. Leaves are recognized for their astringent nature and have been historically used to alleviate asthma, diarrhea, and stomatosis. Fruits, when infused, serve as a tonic to stimulate appetite and alleviate diarrhea, while the berries themselves, known for their astringent and blood-purifying attributes, have been chewed to combat bedwetting and brewed into tea for sore throats. The flowers, valued for their astringent and stomachic properties, were employed in treating stomachaches, and the juice was applied topically to address warts, although caution is advised due to the potential for causing rashes in some individuals.

Other uses: The leaves of the plant contain high levels of tannin, reaching up to 48% in controlled plantations. They can be collected in autumn for making brown dye or mordant. The bark, particularly the root bark, and the fruits also have significant tannin content. Roots yield a yellow dye, while the inner bark and central pith of the stem, when mixed with bloodroot, produce an orange dye. Boiling the leaves and fruits can create black ink. The seeds yield an oil that solidifies into a tallow-like substance, used for making candles that burn brightly but emit strong smoke. Young shoots are crafted into pipes to extract sap from sugar maple trees. The plant's extensive root system makes it suitable for windbreaks and preventing soil erosion. The wood, although soft, light, brittle, and coarse-grained, weighs 27 pounds per cubic foot and is of little commercial value, occasionally used as raw lumber or for turning.

Growing

Thrives in well-drained, fertile soils in full sun, tolerating poor soils and dry conditions. Once established, it becomes drought-resistant and relatively wind-resistant, although branches may break in very strong winds. Highly hardy, it can endure temperatures as low as -25°C when completely dormant, but young spring growth is vulnerable to late frosts. A fast-growing but short-lived tree, it can spread freely, forming dense thickets that may pose issues in small areas. An attractive tree with various named cultivars, it is prone to coral spot fungus but notably resistant to honey fungus. Easy to transplant, Rhus typhina is an excellent bee plant due to its abundant pollen and nectar-producing flowers. While there is uncertainty about its name's validity, Rhus typhina is likely to be retained over Rhus hirta due to its familiarity. This species hybridizes with the closely related Rhus glabra. Some species in this genus are toxic, causing severe skin irritation, but Rhus typhina is non-toxic. Distinguishing toxic from non-toxic species is relatively easy: toxic species have axillary panicles and smooth fruits, while non-toxic species have compound terminal panicles and fruits with acidic crimson hairs. Dioecious, Rhus typhina requires both male and female plants for seed production.

Propagation

Seeds should be sown in a cool environment right after reaching maturity. Prior to planting, it is recommended to soak the seeds in hot water for a day to eliminate any substances that may hinder germination. The water used for soaking is safe to drink and offers a pleasant lemon taste. For stored seeds, a similar hot water treatment is necessary before planting in a cool setting during spring. Once the seedlings are sufficiently developed, they should be moved to individual pots and nurtured in a greenhouse during their initial winter. Transplant them to their permanent spot in late spring or early summer, post the final frost. In July/August, take cuttings from semi-ripe shoots measuring 10 cm with a heel, placing them in a frame. During December, take 4 cm long root cuttings and plant them vertically in a greenhouse for a high success rate. Produce cuttings from late autumn to winter.

Notable

Special features: drought-resistant; loves south-facing slopes; closely related to R. glabra; unlike other sumac plants (e.g., mango, cashew, etc.), the "Rhus poison" (urushiol) does not occur in the sumac; bark, roots, and leaves are also medicinally effective: an important medicinal tree among the Native Americans of North America and used in peace pipe tobacco blends.

Origin & habitat

Eastern North America - from New Brunswick to the southern Appalachians and west to Iowa.

Moist forests bordering mountain streams.

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