The Sumacs

The Sumacs

Rhus typhina along Chester Road. photo credit: S. Keitch

When autumn comes to mind, one conjures up images of rich hues of red, orange, and yellow. There are countless species that have appreciable fall color, and the Scott Arboretum is full of examples. Right now there are several species on campus with spectacular fall color, some of my favorites being the American smoketree, Cotinus obovatus, the sourwood, Oxydendrum arboreum, the black gum, Nyssa sylvatica, and the Fothergilla gardenii. Then there is the staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina clump along Chester Road, which I find to be quite exquisite.

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Rhus typhina along Chester Road. photo credit: S. Keitch

Personally, nothing signals the changing seasons like driving past a fiery clump of sumacs on the highway. Of course, these are not always deliberately planted, but are nonetheless, some of my favorite colors. I think of many things as the unruly scarlet foliage passes by, one of these being adversity. Many of us could learn some valuable lessons from this “pioneer” plant. It takes a bad situation, when everything is damaged and nothing else is growing, and transforms it into something ideal. The rugged old Sumac is a great indicator of things to come in the process of forest succession.

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Bold foliage of Rhus typhina. photo credit: S. Keitch

On the other hand, you can also simply admire the plant for its bold features. The compound foliage creates an almost tropical effect, with several species and their cultivars offering a variety of patterns. White plumes appear in summer then turn to clusters of fuzzy red fruits that persist through the winter. Then there is the notorious growth habit. I like chaotic forms and things of a wild nature, and the sumacs all have such rambunctious character that it is hard not to admire their tenacity. You can plant them in one bed, and they’ll pop up in another!

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Clusters of fuzzy red fruits of Rhus typhina. photo credit: S. Keitch

Staghorn sumacs can colonize an area by sending up aggressive suckers, which slowly radiate outward to create an open crown. This is not something a meticulous gardener would appreciate, but it is quite entertaining. Another rewarding practice is to heavily cut back a sumac to rejuvenate its appearance. I highly recommend showing a Sumac some tough love, because it will keep coming back for more.

Sam Keitch
skeitch1@swarthmore.edu
2 Comments
  • Rick Lowe
    Posted at 09:29h, 23 October Reply

    Love the way you were able to take what some might describe almost as an eyesore and put it in a whole new perspective. And the photo that showed the exact location of what you’re talking about made it that much easier for the rest of us to appreciate all you have to say. Keep it up!!

    Rick

  • Ryan
    Posted at 14:35h, 01 November Reply

    Great post!

    I came very close to buying a couple of these today as the colour and furry branches are just too tempting. Their habits were in the back of my mind and common sense won out in the end.

    Ryan

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