Staghorn Sumac Care Tips: How to Grow Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), also known as velvet sumac, is a flowering plant native to eastern North America. A member of the Anacardiaceae family, or cashew family, staghorn sumac is a type of deciduous shrub or small tree that receives its common name from branches that resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac plants grow pinnately compound leaves that have a red, fall color. In late summer and early fall, red fruit clusters called drupes form on staghorn sumac plants. In female plants, these drupes grow red berries.

Staghorn sumac is a resilient plant that can tolerate a variety of conditions.

1. 1. Transplant a young staghorn sumac. Buy a young staghorn sumac shrub from a plant nursery or retrieve a root sucker from an existing staghorn sumac (a branch growing from the base of the plant). Use a spade to dig up the dirt around the sucker and tie a paper sack around the soil to transport the root safely. Spring is the best time to transplant a staghorn sumac plant.
2. 2. Place your staghorn sumac in a sunny spot. Choose a location in full sun or partial shade. Staghorn sumac thrives in well-draining soil and disturbed soil in areas like old fields and roadsides. In terms of climate, staghorn sumac survives in USDA plant hardiness zones three through eight.
3. 3. Add a layer of mulch. Lay two to three inches of mulch around the base of your staghorn sumac plant to keep the soil moist.
4. 4. Water your staghorn sumac. Water your staghorn sumac regularly during its first growing season. Keep the soil moist until new green growth emerges. Once established, staghorn sumacs are drought-tolerant plants that require little to no extra watering. With proper growing conditions, a staghorn sumac can live for up to fifty years and grow as tall as fifteen feet.

Consider some of these tips when taking care of your staghorn sumac plant.

1. 1. Prune your plant when necessary. Without proper maintenance, staghorn sumac plants can form thickets by growing clonal colonies. If you want to keep your staghorn sumac from spreading, prune back root suckers and shoots in the fall.
2. 2. Watch out for diseases on your plant. Staghorn sumac is susceptible to a variety of diseases like powdery mildew, cankers, and root rot. Remove any diseased limbs, branches, or leaves as soon as you notice them.
3. 3. Use the berries. Collect ripe red berries from female staghorn sumac plants in the fall. Grind them up to make a spice for dry rubs and marinades or mix the berry clusters in water for a vitamin-C-rich lemonade.

Unlike its relative, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), the staghorn sumac is a non-poisonous plant. Identify these plants by their drupes—staghorn sumac produces red fruit clusters while poison sumac forms white fruit clusters. Although the berries of staghorn sumac plants are non-poisonous, the milky sap on the branches can cause skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. For safety, wear gloves when handling, pruning, or harvesting staghorn sumac plants.

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