What hardiness zones is Rhus typhina suitable for?

Rhus typhina is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Rhus typhina?

Rhus typhina requires Full Sun.

How much water does Rhus typhina need?

Rhus typhina has Very Low water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Rhus typhina

staghorn sumac

AnacardiaceaeEastern North America

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m)

Width15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Rhus typhina is a deciduous, suckering large shrub or small tree reaching 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m) tall with a spread of 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 m), forming loose, open, flat-topped colonies through root suckers. The common name refers to the densely velvety, brown hairs covering young stems and branches, which resemble the velvet covering on developing deer antlers. Stems are stout, with few branches, creating a distinctive coarse, architectural silhouette. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 16-24 inches (41-61 cm) long, with 11-31 lanceolate, sharply serrate leaflets, each 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long. Foliage is dark green above, paler beneath, turning vivid scarlet, orange, and crimson in fall — among the most reliably vivid fall color displays of any native shrub. Plants are dioecious. Small yellowish-green flowers are borne in dense terminal panicles 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long in June to July. Female plants produce dense, erect, conical clusters of fuzzy, dark red drupes that persist through winter. Growth rate is fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Spreads aggressively by root suckers. The cultivar 'Dissecta' (syn. 'Laciniata') has finely dissected, fern-like leaflets and is more commonly planted in gardens than the species. Not related to poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix).

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Quebec south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Iowa. Occurs on dry, disturbed sites including roadsides, old fields, rocky slopes, forest margins, and fence rows from sea level to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). A pioneer species that rapidly colonizes disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Planted for erosion control on slopes, highway embankments, and disturbed sites where aggressive suckering is an asset, spaced 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) apart. Fall color, persistent winter fruit clusters, and distinctive velvety stems are the primary ornamental features. Wildlife value is high: fruit is consumed by over 30 bird species. The cultivar 'Dissecta' with finely cut leaflets is more suitable for garden settings than the species. Not suitable for foundation plantings or small residential lots due to aggressive suckering. Coppicing produces dramatic, oversized foliage for bold textural effect.

How to Identify

Identified by densely velvety, brown-hairy stems (resembling deer antler velvet), pinnately compound leaves with 11-31 sharply serrate leaflets, and dense terminal clusters of fuzzy dark red fruit on female plants. Distinguished from Rhus glabra (smooth sumac) by hairy stems (glabra has smooth, glabrous stems with a waxy bloom). Distinguished from poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) by red (not white) fruit, toothed (not smooth-margined) leaflets, hairy stems, and dry upland (not wetland) habitat.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

scarlet

orange

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Small yellowish-green flowers in dense terminal panicles appear in June to July, lasting 2-3 weeks. Plants are dioecious; only female plants produce ornamental red fruit clusters. Fruit clusters are erect, conical, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, ripening in August to September and persisting through winter. Fruit is consumed by birds in late winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclayrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water during the first growing season only. Established plants are highly drought-tolerant and require no supplemental care. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light; part shade is tolerated but reduces fall color and fruit production. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including poor, dry, rocky, and alkaline soils. Spreads aggressively by root suckers; install a root barrier or site in an area where spreading is acceptable. Mow around the colony perimeter to control spread. The cultivar 'Dissecta' is less aggressive than the species but still suckers. Essentially pest- and disease-free.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February). Management consists primarily of removing unwanted suckers at the colony perimeter. Cut entire colony to the ground in late winter every 3-5 years to rejuvenate and control height; vigorous regrowth occurs from the root system. Coppiced plants produce larger, more tropical-looking compound leaves. Remove dead stems at any time.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic