Native Shrubs of Prince Edward Island
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

Description:
One of the easiest shrubs to identify throughout the year, staghorn sumac has a spreading, open form growing up to 15 feet (4.6 m) tall. Tiny green flowers in the spring are insignificant, but are later replaced by large cones of crimson berries that remain throughout the winter. Leaves are alternate, compound and turn a beautiful scarlet red in the fall. Buds are small, covered with brown hair and borne on fat, furry twigs. Bark on older wood is smooth and grey to brown.

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) leaf.

Growing Conditions:
Sumac is commonly found on abandoned farmland, near old homesteads or along fencerows. It prefers full sun but will grow under light shading. Sumac does best on well-drained sites and will not tolerate flooding. Even in poor soil, it usually makes good growth and requires little care.

Staghorn sumac fruit.

Propagation:
This is a very difficult shrub to grow from seed, but fortunately it spreads prolifically from root suckers. Most people who have these shrubs growing on their lawn will let you have some young plants. Dig up small shoots early in the spring before the leaves have formed. It is best to move young sumac to a nursery bed. Water well and keep the bed mulched. After a year or two, they can be transplanted out to the final site. Cuttings can be made in the late fall, from roots or stems, but we have not attempted this yet. If you are trying sumac from seed, collect cones when crimson, separate individual berries and plant closely, about 100 to 200/square foot (.09 sq. m). The seed coat is very hard and may take many years to break down.

Staghorn sumac in fall.

Wildlife Uses:
Berries are a preferred food source for ruffed grouse , ring-necked pheasant, eastern phoebe, common crow, northern mockingbird, gray catbird, American robin, wood thrush, hermit thrush, eastern bluebird and European starling. It is also used by over 30 other species, and since the fruit hangs on throughout the winter, is another excellent emergency source of food. Honeybees are attracted to the flowers in spring.

Staghorn sumac winter twig.

Areas of Usage:
A good choice for landscape plantings around the home, especially where spreading from root suckers will not be a problem. Its distinctive shape, exotic foliage, furry twigs and cones of red berries make it one of the best ornamentals available. Sumac can be used in clumps for more natural plantings, or as a single specimen with root suckers controlled by mowing. Shallow, widespreading roots make sumac a good choice for soil conservation along slopes, streams and pondsides if the soil is well-drained. Staghorn sumac is an excellent addition to a windbreak if the spreading root suckers will not cause problems. Since it is resistant to salt, this is one of the best native shrubs for protection along shorelines or highways.

From the Nursery:
The Macphail Woods operates a native tree and shrub nursery and offers many native trees and shrubs at affordable prices. Check out:

• Macphail Woods Nursery Catalogue
• Why Plant Native Shrubs?
• Growing Native Shrubs
• How to Plant Trees and Shrubs
• Tips on Transplanting



Staghorn sumac leaflet.



Staghorn sumac fruit.



Staghorn sumac winter twig.

This series of webpages is based on the booklet "Native Shrubs of Prince Edward Island Growing and using fifteen favorite shrubs for: wildlife enhancement, erosion control, windbreaks, landscapes and much more" written by Gary Schneider. If your interested in receiving a hardcopy of this booklet, please see our publications page.

We offer a number of workshops and guided tours at the Macphail Woods and it is an opportunity to learn more about PEI native shrubs. Check out the Events Calendar for more information. Web development and maintenance by Chris Martin.

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