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| ## smooth sumac {#smooth-sumac .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Rhus glabra* L.                                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = RHGL                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Smooth Sumac (Rhus
glabra)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0in"}**Uses**

Sumac serves primarily as a winter emergency food for wildlife.
Ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, and about 300 species
of songbirds include sumac fruit in their diet. It is also known to be
important only in the winter diets of ruffed grouse and the sharp-tailed
grouse. Fox squirrels and cottontail rabbits eat the sumac bark.
White-tail deer like the fruit and stems.

Sumac also makes good ornamental plantings and hedges because of the
brilliant red fall foliage. It is best used on drastically disturbed
sites where pioneer species are desirable.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Anacardiaceae Family. Smooth sumac is a U.S. native, deciduous, large
shrub to small tree, seldom over 10-15 feet tall. It has alternate,
compound leaves, 16-24 inches long. The leaflets are narrowed or rounded
at the base and sharply pointed at the tip with finely toothed edges.
The leaflets are dark green and smooth above, and pale beneath, except
along the midrib. Compact clusters of greenish-yellow flowers bloom from
June to July, and fruits mature from August to September. The fruiting
head is a compact cluster of round, red, hairy fruits called drupes.
Each drupe measures ¼ inch in diameter and contains one seed. Each
cluster of drupes may contain 100 to 700 seeds. Fruit is produced on
plants 3 to 4 years old. Because most populations of sumac have male and
female flowers on separate plants, only the female plants produce seed.
Occasionally, plants are found which have both male and female flowers.
The germination of sumac seeds is enhanced by their passage through the
digestive system of rabbits, ring-necked pheasants, and quail. The
presence of fire also encourages increased germination. There are about
75,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Smooth sumac is widely distributed throughout the United States. It is
extremely drought resistant and is commonly found in open fields and
roadsides, fence rows, railroad rights-of-way, and burned areas, on
sandy or gravelly soil. All sumacs are tolerant of slightly acid soil
conditions and textures ranging from coarse to fine. Sumacs are not
highly shade tolerate and are considered early successional species.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

One year old nursery grown seedlings are normally used for planting
large areas. Once established, stands will spread from the root sprouts.
The lateral root system is extensive and spread outward 3 or more feet a
year. This sprouting is encouraged by cutting or fire injury. The
colonies appear to lose vigor in about 15 years.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Sumac stands can best be maintained by eliminating competing vegetation
by mowing, chemicals, or fire. Sumacs fail to compete with invading tree
species and are seldom found growing under a closed canopy.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

No known cultivars of this species are known to exist. Rooted plants may
be available from specialty nurseries.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060816 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060816-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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