How to Prune Rhus Tiger Eyes

Rhus typhina, also known as staghorn sumac, is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with delicate, lacelike foliage that forms on attractively tiered branches. Rhus typhina "Tiger Eyes" is a dwarf staghorn sumac cultivar that's prized for its chartreuse foliage that changes to a golden-yellow as it matures. Rhus tiger eyes may be cultivated with little difficulty in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Though annual pruning is not strictly necessary for successful cultivation, the occasional spring pruning helps to control the size and shape of the shrub and stimulate the production of healthy new growth.

Mild liquid soap
Wire brush
Rubbing alcohol
Pruning shears or loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Clean and sterilize your pruning tools to avoid spreading botanical diseases from previously pruned plants. Wash the blades of the tools in hot, soapy water; scrub them with a wire brush to remove any stuck-on plant matter, if necessary. Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol to sterile them.
- 2
  Wait to prune Rhus tiger eyes until the danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that pruning your Rhus tiger eyes plant too early in the season makes it more susceptible to injury and botanical disease.
- 3
  Prune out any discolored, diseased, damaged or dead stems or foliage to keep the Rhus tiger eyes plant looking its best. Make clean pruning cuts at a 45-degree angle to make it easier for the plant to heal its pruning wounds.
- 4
  Cut the stems of the shrub back by one-third their length to stimulate invigorated growth. For best results, prune the stems back to a healthy leaf node.

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