Staghorn Sumac is a striking native shrub or small tree recognized for its velvety branches, dramatic tropical-looking foliage, and brilliant fall color. This hardy species is widely found across eastern North America and grows well throughout Pennsylvania and the broader Northeast. In summer, Staghorn Sumac produces upright clusters of small greenish flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. By late summer and fall, dense cone-shaped clusters of deep red berries form at the tips of the branches. These fruit clusters persist into winter and provide an important food source for birds and wildlife. The name staghorn comes from the soft, fuzzy coating on the young branches, which resemble the texture of deer antlers in velvet. The plant naturally spreads to form colonies, making it an excellent species for wildlife habitat plantings and natural hedgerows. Staghorn Sumac is highly adaptable and thrives in full sun and poor or disturbed soils. Once established, it is drought tolerant and extremely resilient, making it valuable for restoration projects and erosion control. Seed Pack Options: 25 Seeds 100 Seeds Plant Characteristics: Botanical Name: Rhus typhina Plant Type: Native deciduous shrub or small tree Mature Height: 1525 feet Sun: Full sun Soil: Highly adaptable; tolerates dry or poor soils Wildlife Value: Very high berries support birds through winter Planting Notes: Staghorn Sumac seeds typically benefit from scarification followed by cold stratification to improve germination. Seeds may be sown outdoors in fall or winter to allow natural seasonal cycles to break dormancy, or prepared using refrigerator stratification before spring planting. As with many native shrubs, germination may occur over multiple seasons.
Available options
100 Seeds
SKU BNC-2025-STAGSUMAC-100
$12
2 available
25 Seeds
SKU BNC-2025-STAGSUMAC-25
$5
5 available
SKU BNC-2025-STAGSUMAC-100 · 2 available
$12.00
2 in stock
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Growing information
Hardiness
Zone 4
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Adaptable
Bloom or harvest season
Summer
Mature height
10-25 ft
Wildlife value
High
Pollinator value
Moderate
Growing notes
Staghorn Sumac is a striking native shrub or small tree recognized for its velvety branches, dramatic tropical-looking foliage, and brilliant fall color. This hardy species is widely found across eastern North America and grows well throughout Pennsylvania and the broader Northeast. In summer, Staghorn Sumac produces upright clusters of small greenish flowers that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. By late s...