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How to Grow a Staghorn Sumac Tree
How to Grow a Staghorn Sumac Tree. The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is one of the stars of autumn. Its blazing red 8 inch long leaves and erect deep-red fuzzy berries ignite the fall landscape. Its thick, upright branches resemble deer antlers and provide additional garden interest in winter. The staghorn has few growing requirements and its...
The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is one of the stars of autumn. Its blazing red 8 inch long leaves and erect deep-red fuzzy berries ignite the fall landscape. Its thick, upright branches resemble deer antlers and provide additional garden interest in winter. The staghorn has few growing requirements and its trouble free toughness is appreciated by every home gardener.
Things You'll Need
Staghorn sumac tree
Shovel
Knife or garden shears
Water
Mulch or other organic material
Locate a planting site. For best results, plant the sumac in a full sun location where it has plenty of space to grow. The sumac has no preferred soil condition and will often grow well under adverse conditions.
Prepare the tree for planting by carefully removing it from the container and checking the roots. If they seem to be growing in a circular pattern, gently spread them out before placing the shrub in the hole. If planting a balled and burlapped shrub, cut away half of the burlap from the root ball. Remove any wire or twine.
Dig the planting hole. A hole 4 times the width of the root ball and to a depth equal to the root ball is required.
Position the tree. Position the staghorn sumac in the planting hole. Make sure the top of the root ball is even with the surrounding ground. Backfill a small portion of the original soil into the planting hole to secure the tree, and fill with water. Allow the water to be absorbed then backfill the remaining soil and water again deeply.
Spread a layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep over the entire planting site to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Tips & Warnings
The staghorn sumac is a deciduous shrub that is an excellent for naturalized settings, creek banks. It grows well in hardiness zones 4 through 8.
The staghorn sumac may be planted at any time during the growing season. If planting in the summer, water regularly to prevent transplant shock.
Collect the sumac's red leaves and fuzzy fruit to add interest to dried flower arrangements and holiday decorations.
The staghorn sumac has few maintenance requirements. Hard prune dead wood to the ground in spring. Prune suckers to keep the tree contained. After the tree has established, it requires no fertilizer supplementary watering.
The sumac may develop a canker disease that causes some stems to die back. New canes will quickly replace them.
