# What Kills Poison Sumac in Flowerbeds?
-
Plant Identification
-
The key to controlling poison sumac is identifying it early in its growth period. The plant's leaves are orange in spring, glossy green in summer and brilliant orange in fall. Each leaf is compound, meaning that it is composed of seven to 13 oval-shaped leaflets, including a leaflet on the end of the stem. The leaflets are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The plant's small, greenish-white flowers are borne in long clusters in the leaf axils, where the leaves join the stalks. The flowers are succeeded by gray or white fruits.
Non-Chemical Removal
-
If the poison sumac is young, shallow-rooted and just emerging, the best method to remove it from flowerbeds is to pull or dig it out. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves when attempting any poison sumac removal method. Pull or dig out each plant, including its roots, place all the plant parts in plastic bags and put the plastic bags in your trash. Do not put poison sumac in compost piles or destroy it by burning it. The smoke from poison sumac can cause skin and/or eye irritation and can be carried elsewhere.
Chemical Removal
-
If poison sumac plants are too well-established to remove by pulling or digging them out, then eradicate them by using a weedkiller containing glycophosphate. Choose a non-windy day, protect nearby plants with tarps or other plastic coverings and carefully spray the poison sumac with the weedkiller, following the product's package directions. Because glycophosphate is a non-specific weedkiller, care should be taken to avoid spraying it on desirable plants, especially in small- to medium-size flowerbeds. Watch for signs of poison sumac regrowth. If it appears, retreat it with the glycophosphate weedkiller.
Heat Method
-
Depending on the size of a flowerbed, sometimes poison sumac can be killed by solarization, which heats the soil to a temperature too hot for the sumac to survive. If you wish to use that method, chop the poison sumac as close to the ground as possible, discarding the loose pieces in a plastic trash bag. Cover the stump or remaining stalk with thick, clear plastic sheeting weighted with stones or bricks. Leave the plastic sheeting in place for at least six months. Watch for poison sumac seedlings to appear outside the plastic-covered area, and cover them with plastic sheeting, too.
-
