Three Leaf Sumac Trees

Habitat

• The three-leaf sumac grows best in drier areas with 10 to 20 inches of annual precipitation and well-drained soil, but it is very adaptable. It is found in a wide variety of habitats in the West, including grassland, shrubland, mountain pine scrub forests and oak woodlands. Three-leaf sumac regrows well in areas devastated by wildfires and is useful in reclaiming areas stripped by mining or timber harvesting. The strong roots, suckering habit and fast growth also make it useful in windbreaks, shelterbelts and roadside erosion control.

Growth

• Three-leaf sumac is deciduous, tolerant of drought and can grow in poor soils. It typically reaches 4 to 6 feet in height with a spread of up to 6 feet, but it can grow as high as 12 feet, depending on how much moisture is available. Propagation of the three-leaf sumac is by root cuttings, sotfwood stem cuttings or by seeds. The seeds require scarification before planting, according to Nancy Rose of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Foliage

• The foliage makes the three-leaf sumac an attractive addition to landscapes, especially xeriscapes. During spring and summer the leaves are dark green with reddish stems. Fall transforms the colors to bright yellow through orange to bright red. The fall color is enhanced by planting in full sun, though the shrub also tolerates partial shade. The foliage provides browse for large and small wild mammals, though it is not preferred by most domestic mammals except goats.

Fruit

• The fruit develops in early summer from small yellow flowers that bloom in spring. The fruit grows into fleshy orange-red clusters of globes about 1/4-inch long that are very tart and high in vitamin C. Native Americans used three-leaf sumac berries in pemmican and other foods and medicines, and they can be soaked in water to make a drink similar to lemonade. The berries also are used as winter food by birds and occasionally deer and bear.