ENH-725

Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac1Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

1. This document is ENH-725, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; and Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.

IntroductionChinese sumac forms a loose, spreading small tree, reach-ing up to 25 feet in height. Most specimens only grow to about 12 to 15 feet tall. The shiny, pinnately compound, five inches long leaves change to a brilliant orange, red, or yellow in the fall before dropping. The yellowish-white, summertime flowers appear in 6- to 10-inch-long and wide, terminal panicles and are quite showy. The hairy fruits which follow are orange/red and mature in October.

General InformationScientific name: Rhus chinensisPronunciation: roose chih-NEN-sisCommon name(s): Chinese sumac

Family: AnacardiaceaeUSDA hardiness zones: 5B through 8A (Fig. 2)Origin: not native to North AmericaInvasive potential: invasive non-nativeUses: reclamation; container or planter; specimen; deck or patio; highway medianAvailability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

DescriptionHeight: 15 to 20 feetSpread: 15 to 20 feetCrown uniformity: irregularCrown shape: roundCrown density: moderateGrowth rate: moderate

Figure 1. Middle-aged Rhus chinensis: Chinese sumacCredits: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS

Figure 2. Range

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

2Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac

Texture: medium

FoliageLeaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)Leaf type: odd-pinnately compoundLeaf margin: crenate, serrateLeaf shape: ovate, oblong, elliptic (oval), obovateLeaf venation: pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaf blade length: 2 to 4 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: orange, redFall characteristic: showy

FlowerFlower color: white/cream/grayFlower characteristics: showy

FruitFruit shape: roundFruit length: less than .5 inchFruit covering: fleshyFruit color: red, orangeFruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and BranchesTrunk/bark/branches: branches droop; not showy; typi-cally multi-trunked; thornsPruning requirement: needed for strong structureBreakage: susceptible to breakageCurrent year twig color: brown, reddishCurrent year twig thickness: thick, very thickWood specific gravity: unknown

CultureLight requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; occasion-ally wet; well-drainedDrought tolerance: highAerosol salt tolerance: unknown

OtherRoots: not a problemWinter interest: noOutstanding tree: yesOzone sensitivity: unknownVerticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptiblePest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Use and ManagementTraining is required to make this large shrub into a tree. Begin by staking the main stem in the upright position for a year or two and develop branches beginning at two to four feet from the ground. Space branches 8 to 12 inches apart and be sure than they form a wide angle with the trunk. This will help ensure that they are well attached to the tree. Occasional pinching or heading back of the terminal shoot will increase branching.

Place Chinese sumac in a prominent location in the land-scape in the full sun. It is a nice tree for planting in a low ground cover to display the interesting trunk and branch arrangement. The fine-textured foliage, showy flower display and bright fall color combine to make this small tree suitable for increased usage in southern landscapes.

Chinese sumac should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, acid or alkaline. It would be well suited for inclusion in a low maintenance landscape where plants receive little if any irrigation. Suckers from the base of the trunk may have to be removed periodically.

Propagation is by seed.

The cultivar ‘September Beauty’ has a nice shape and provides reliable yellow-orange fall color.

PestsAphids suck plant juices, but they can be easily controlled. Aphids may also be dislodged with a high pressure water spray from the garden hose.

Scales can be partially controlled with dormant oil applied in the spring before plants begin to grow.

Figure 3. Foliage

3Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac

DiseasesSeveral fungi cause cankers leading to dieback. Fertilize to keep plants healthy and prune out infected parts.

Fusarium wilt infects roots, causing the leaves to droop and wilt. A light infection causes only gradual dwarfing or yellowing and premature red leaf coloration.

Leaf spot causes gray spots with purplish margins that merge, giving the leaves a scorched appearance.

Various genera of powdery mildew forms a white coating on the leaves.

Verticillium wilt causes wilting of individual stems, fol-lowed by death of the foliage. Eventually the entire plant dies. Prune out infected branches. Do not replant in the same spot with sumac or other susceptible plants.