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How to Plant Sumac Seed

Sumac has more than 15 different species. When the weather is warm, the sumac have long, compound leaves, and in the autumn, the leaves turn bright red. The sumac is hardy in zones 3 through 9. The flowers appear from June to August and berries will ripen from October to December. Plant a male and female sumac plant if you want seed because the plant is not self-fertile.The sumac produces berries, which stay on during winter. Although the sumac berries don’t have much nutritional value, animals will eat them if their other food sources are exhausted.

Things You'll Need

  • Gloves
  • Pot
  • Hot water
  • Trowel
  • Flag or sticks
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pick sumac cones when they have turned to a deep crimson red color.

    • 2

      Remove the berries from the cones.

    • 3

      Fill a pot with water that is 176 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Place berries in the water and allow the water to cool down naturally for 24 hours.

    • 4

      Find an area to plant the sumac. It should have full sun to partial shade.

    • 5

      Bury the seed 1/2 inch deep using a trowel. Plant the seeds closely in the ground. You can plant 100 sumac seeds per 200 square feet.

    • 6

      Mark the area with flags or sticks and then water the area thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate and the sumac grows.