Staghorn sumac
Scientific name: Rhus typhina
The stag-horn sumac is a 15-30 foot, colony-forming, deciduous shrub with crooked, leaning trunks, picturesque branches and velvety twigs. Staghorn Sumac reaches tree size more often than related species and commonly forms thickets. In winter, the bare, widely forking, stout, hairy twigs resemble deer antlers in velvet, hence the alternate common name of Velvet Sumac.
Albert F.W. Vick
Leaves
Large, bright-green, pinnately-compound leaves become extremely colorful in early fall.
Flowers
On female plants, yellow-green flowers are followed by fuzzy, bright red berries in erect, pyramidal clusters which persist throughout winter.
Leaves
Large, bright-green, pinnately-compound leaves become extremely colorful in early fall.
Flowers
On female plants, yellow-green flowers are followed by fuzzy, bright red berries in erect, pyramidal clusters which persist throughout winter.
Other Uses
Some beekeepers use dried sumac bobs as a source of fuel for their smokers.
The fruit of sumacs can be collected, soaked and washed in cold water, strained, sweetened and made into a pink “lemonade” sometimes called “Indian lemonade”.
The leaves and berries of staghorn sumac have been mixed with tobacco and other herbs and smoked by Native American tribes. This practice continues to a small degree to this day.
Staghorn Sumac
Credit: John Hixson
Staghorn Sumac Flowers
Credit: Sally and Andy Wasowski
Staghorn Sumac Leaves
Credit: James L. Reveal
Photo: John Hixson
More on Trees and Shrubs in Lewisboro
Lewisboro was once entirely forested except for patches of open field caused by fire and wetlands and ponds which were expanded by beaver dams. Although it is hard to believe, by 1800 most of Lewisboro’s forests had been cut down and replaced by farms. In 1820 so many trees had been cleared that there was no shade anywhere along the route from Boston to New York.[1] But by the mid-1800’s farming here became uneconomical and as farms were abandoned, the forests began to re-grow. Today, 70% of New York is once again forest, what some call ‘the great environmental story of the United States’[2]. These new forests provide us with beauty and recreation, clean air and water, flood control, erosion prevention, carbon sequestration, cooler temperatures and habitat for other plants, insects, birds and other wildlife.
[1] Cronon, William. Changes in the Land. Macmillan, 1983.
[2] An Explosion of Green. B. Mckibben. Atlantic Monthly 275 (April 1995): 61-83.