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Staghorn Sumac

Rhus typhina

Velvety antler-fuzzed branches and crimson seed-cone "candles" that persist through winter. Brilliant scarlet-orange fall color. Spreads aggressively by root suckers — plant where colony formation is welcome. The tart, fuzzy fruit clusters steep into a lemonade-like drink ('sumac-ade') once soaked and strained — a classic, easy foraged treat.

Family

Anacardiaceae

Type

tree

Lifespan

perennial

Height

15–25 ft

Spacing

20–30 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

dry

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

June, July

Bloom colors

red, yellow, green

Wildlife value

butterflies, pollinators, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~58 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

hedge or screen, naturalizing

Native states

AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV