Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra

Smooth Sumac is a tough, beautiful native shrub with bold structure, fern-like foliage, and vivid scarlet-red fall color that rivals any ornamental. In summer, it produces upright clusters of deep red fruit (drupes) that persist through winter and provide vital food for songbirds, game birds, and small mammals.

This species is adaptable, drought-tolerant, and fast-spreading—ideal for restoration projects, erosion control, wildlife plantings, and naturalized borders. It also plays a role in traditional and herbal use, particularly its tart red fruit, often steeped to make a refreshing beverage.

Latin Name: Rhus glabra

Size at Maturity: 8–15 ft tall, 6–12 ft wide

USDA Zone: 3–9

Site & Soil: Grows in full sun to part shade; thrives in dry, rocky, or poor soils; drought-tolerant and great for disturbed sites

Pests & Diseases: Exceptionally hardy; rarely affected by pests or diseases

🌿 Uses:

• Stunning fall foliage in vibrant shades of red and orange

• Red fruit clusters feed birds and support winter wildlife

• Spreads by rhizome to stabilize slopes and restore disturbed soils

• Fruit has been traditionally used to make a lemony herbal tea (must be properly identified and prepared)

• Native to much of the U.S., including the Southeast

🛠 Growing Tips:

• Forms colonies over time—best planted where it can spread naturally

• Can be cut back to the ground in late winter to refresh growth

• Combines beautifully with goldenrod, native grasses, and other wildlife plants

🍁 Fun Fact:
Smooth Sumac is the only shrub native to all 48 contiguous U.S. states, making it one of the most widely distributed and adaptable native species in North America.