ENH-725

Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction Family: USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 8A (Fig. 2) Chinese forms a loose, spreading small tree, reach- Origin: not native to North America ing up to 25 feet in height. Most specimens only grow to Invasive potential: invasive non-native about 12 to 15 feet tall. The shiny, pinnately compound, Uses: reclamation; container or planter; specimen; deck or five inches long change to a brilliant orange, red, or patio; highway median yellow in the fall before dropping. The yellowish-white, Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the summertime flowers appear in 6- to 10-inch-long and wide, region to find the tree terminal panicles and are quite showy. The hairy which follow are orange/red and mature in October.

Figure 2. Range

Figure 1. Middle-aged Rhus chinensis: Chinese sumac Description Credits: Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS Height: 15 to 20 feet Spread: 15 to 20 feet General Information Crown uniformity: irregular Scientific name:Rhus chinensis Crown shape: round Pronunciation: roose chih-NEN-sis Crown density: moderate Common name(s): Chinese sumac Growth rate: moderate

1. This document is ENH-725, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; and Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Texture: medium Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; occasion- ally wet; well-drained Foliage Drought tolerance: high arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3) Aerosol salt tolerance: unknown Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound Leaf margin: crenate, serrate Other Leaf shape: ovate, oblong, elliptic (oval), obovate : not a problem Leaf venation: pinnate Winter interest: no Leaf type and persistence: deciduous Outstanding tree: yes Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches Ozone sensitivity: unknown Leaf color: green Verticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptible Fall color: orange, red Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases Fall characteristic: showy Use and Management Training is required to make this large shrub into a tree. Begin by staking the main stem in the upright position for a year or two and develop branches beginning at two to four feet from the ground. Space branches 8 to 12 inches apart and be sure than they form a wide angle with the trunk. This will help ensure that they are well attached to the tree. Occasional pinching or heading back of the terminal shoot will increase branching.

Place Chinese sumac in a prominent location in the land- Figure 3. Foliage scape in the full sun. It is a nice tree for planting in a low ground cover to display the interesting trunk and branch Flower arrangement. The fine-textured foliage, showy flower Flower color: white/cream/gray display and bright fall color combine to make this small tree Flower characteristics: showy suitable for increased usage in southern landscapes.

Fruit Chinese sumac should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, acid or alkaline. It would be well suited for inclusion in shape: round a low maintenance landscape where receive little if Fruit length: less than .5 inch any irrigation. Suckers from the base of the trunk may have Fruit covering: fleshy to be removed periodically. Fruit color: red, orange Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/ Propagation is by seed. leaves not a litter problem The cultivar ‘September Beauty’ has a nice shape and Trunk and Branches provides reliable yellow-orange fall color. Trunk//branches: branches droop; not showy; typi- cally multi-trunked; thorns Pests Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure suck juices, but they can be easily controlled. Breakage: susceptible to breakage Aphids may also be dislodged with a high pressure water Current year twig color: brown, reddish spray from the garden hose. Current year twig thickness: thick, very thick specific gravity:unknown Scales can be partially controlled with dormant oil applied in the spring before plants begin to grow. Culture Light requirement: full sun

Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac 2 Diseases Several fungi cause cankers leading to dieback. Fertilize to keep plants healthy and prune out infected parts.

Fusarium wilt infects roots, causing the leaves to droop and wilt. A light infection causes only gradual dwarfing or yellowing and premature red leaf coloration.

Leaf spot causes gray spots with purplish margins that merge, giving the leaves a scorched appearance.

Various genera of powdery mildew forms a white coating on the leaves.

Verticillium wilt causes wilting of individual stems, fol- lowed by death of the foliage. Eventually the entire plant dies. Prune out infected branches. Do not replant in the same spot with sumac or other susceptible plants.

Rhus chinensis: Chinese Sumac 3