How to Propagate Sumac From Seed

Sumac plants belong to the cashew family and grow as small trees or shrubs with mature heights of 10 to 20 feet. The fast-growing plants have 14- to 24-inch long, dark green, fernlike foliage with lighter, hairy undersides. Small flowers grow in loose clusters on the male plants and in more dense growth on the female plants. The flowers are followed by edible, hard, red berries covered in a red, hairy coating and filled with seeds. You can easily propagate new sumac plants from seed.

Dried sumac fruit
Cloth bag
Empty jam jar
Plastic bag
Shallow container
Small pot
Sandy loam

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare small pot for planting seed by filling with a well-drained, sandy loam. The best time to sow the seed is during fall or spring.
- 2
  Put some dried sumac fruit in a thick cloth bag and pound on a heavy surface. Collect the seeds from the cracked fruit.
- 3
  Place all the seeds in a shallow bowl of water. The good seeds will sink, and the other, non-viable seeds will float to the surface. Drain water and collect the good seeds.
- 4
  Fill a small, disposable glass jar, such as an empty jam container, with 3 to 4 inches of concentrated sulfuric acid. Place four to five good seeds in the jar and let them soak for about four hours.
- 5
  Remove seeds, wash well and dry with a paper towel. Place seeds in a small plastic bag and stratify by placing in the refrigerator at 41 degrees Fahrenheit for a month.
- 6
  Sow the seeds in the prepared pot after a month at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Water well to moisten soil.
- 7
  Place pot in a warm site and make sure soil remains moist during germination. Let new plants get about 6 inches tall before transplanting to a permanent place in the garden. Plant in an open, sunny area with moist soil.

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