Sumac, Smooth

The Smooth Sumac tree typically reaches heights between 10 and 15 feet with spreads almost reaching that of the height. When allowed to grow with no restrictions, the tree will grow in colonies by suckering from the base, seeds from the female shrub and/or the lateral growth of the trunk. For best growth, the tree should be planted in full sun and dry soil, since it doesn’t tolerate shade or wet soil very well. This tree grows in all 48 mainland states and seems to grow in just about any pH or soil type.

The alternate, odd-pinnately compound LEAVES are 12-18” long and have 11-31 lance-oblong shaped leaflets. Each leaflet is 2-5” long and about 1/2” wide. The edges are serrate and the tip is extended. The stalk of the leaf is red, while the leaf itself is a dark to medium green color. In the fall the leaves turn a showy combination of yellow, orange and red before they drop.

During June, July and August greenish-yellow FLOWERS are borne in long, 6-10” panicles. Each flower has 5 petals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil. The plant is dioecious so female and male flowers are on separate trees. The male flower is more open and larger than its female counterpart.

After the female flowers die, bright red berries, which make up the FRUIT of the tree, grow in their place. The fruit ripens in September, sometimes in October, and the SEEDS are slowly released or dispersed by way of animals. The small, about a 1/6” long, spherical drupe is covered in tiny red hairs and persists till winter.

The gray/black BARK is fissured and sometimes flaky. The young orange-brown TWIGS are smooth, instead of hairy, giving this tree its name. As the twigs age they turn dark gray and rough.

Roots and leaves from the Smooth Sumac have been used in making tea to treat various illnesses. Red dye is produced from the fruit and yellow dye is produced from the inner bark. The sour berries can be chewed or used to make a lemonade-like beverage.