Winged Sumac FAQ

Is winged sumac poisonous?

No. Winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) is not poisonous. The University of Florida calls it a nonallergenic relative of poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), a different genus that grows in wet swamps and produces drooping clusters of white berries. Winged sumac has dense clusters of fuzzy red berries at its branch tips, on a plant of well-drained ground. One honest note: it is in the same plant family as poison ivy, and its broken leaves bleed a white, sticky sap. The Missouri Department of Conservation says sumacs carry traces of poison-ivy-type compounds in some parts, so a very small number of people who are highly sensitive to poison ivy may have a strong allergic reaction to drinking sumac tea. If that is you, skip sumac tea and drinks, and wear gloves when handling the plant as a precaution.

How do I tell winged sumac apart from poison sumac?

Three quick checks:

• Habitat. Winged sumac grows on well-drained ground, including dry and rocky sites, old fields, and roadsides, and it avoids wet soil. Poison sumac grows mainly in swamps, bogs and other wet ground.
• Berry color. Winged sumac has deep red berries. Poison sumac has white or cream-colored berries.
• Where the berries grow. Winged sumac berries form dense clusters at the branch tips; the clusters may stand up or nod. Poison sumac berries hang in loose clusters from along the stem.

For a full visual comparison, see our winged sumac vs other sumacs guide.

Is winged sumac native?

Yes. Winged sumac is native to a large portion of the central and eastern United States and into eastern Canada, from Texas and Oklahoma east to the Atlantic, and from Florida north to Maine and southern Ontario.

Is winged sumac invasive?

Winged sumac is native to its growing range, so by definition it is not invasive there. It is, however, an aggressive native, it spreads via root suckers and can form large colonies. Plant it where colonizing growth is welcome (slopes, hedgerows, restoration plantings), or be prepared to mow suckers if you want a single specimen.

How tall does winged sumac get?

As a garden shrub, most plants stay about 7 to 15 feet tall and spread 10 to 20 feet wide, according to NC State Extension. Older stands also spread sideways from root suckers. Left to grow as a small tree it can get much bigger: the USDA Forest Service gives 20 to 30 feet, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center says up to about 35 feet.

How fast does winged sumac grow?

Fast. The USDA Forest Service and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center both describe winged sumac as fast-growing, while NC State Extension rates it medium. Once a plant is established, its roots spread outward three or more feet a year and send up new shoots, according to the USDA NRCS, which is how one plant becomes a thicket.

What growing conditions does winged sumac need?

• Sun: Full sun is best. It is not very shade tolerant, though it will grow in part shade.
• Soil: Well-drained. It grows best in well-drained, fertile ground but tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soil.
• Water: Drought tolerant once established. Young plants need consistent water during their first season.
• pH: Neutral to slightly acidic suits it best.

The number-one mistake is planting it in poorly drained or waterlogged soil. NC State Extension notes it handles most soils except wet sites, and the USDA Forest Service says its growth on poorly drained soil is very slow.

What hardiness zones does winged sumac grow in?

USDA zones 4 through 9, which covers most of the continental United States.

Is winged sumac deer resistant?

Not fully. White-tailed deer eat the fruit and stems, according to the USDA NRCS, and the Missouri Department of Conservation notes that deer occasionally browse it. If deer are heavy in your area, protect young seedlings until they are established.

When does winged sumac bloom?

In summer, usually July into September according to NC State Extension and the USDA NRCS. In some places it starts earlier: the Missouri Department of Conservation gives late May to July. The flowers are small, greenish-yellow clusters at the branch tips that are easy to overlook, but bees and butterflies visit them for nectar.

Is winged sumac edible?

Yes. The red berry coating has been used for centuries to make sumac lemonade, sumac tea, and ground sumac spice. The flavor is tart-lemony, similar to commercial sumac spice made from Rhus coriaria. See our complete guide to edible sumac and its culinary uses for recipes.

What does sumac taste like?

Tart, lemony, and lightly fruity, like a cross between lemon zest, dried cranberry, and a hint of grape skin. The souring agent is malic acid, the same compound that makes green apples crisp.

Can I make sumac spice from my own winged sumac plants?

Yes. Pick ripe berry clusters on a dry day, dry them indoors for 7–14 days, rub the dried berries through a sieve to separate the tart outer coating from the woody seeds, then grind the coating into a powder. See the harvesting and drying section for full instructions.

What's the difference between winged sumac and the sumac spice in stores?

Most commercial sumac spice is made from Rhus coriaria, a Mediterranean species. Sumac powder made from native winged sumac, staghorn sumac, or smooth sumac has a similar tart, lemony flavor and is used the same way.

Why do winged sumac seeds need to be scarified?

Winged sumac seeds have a hard, waterproof coat, and very few will sprout until it is softened or cracked. In the wild, the heat of a fire or a trip through the gut of a rabbit, pheasant, or quail does the job, according to the USDA NRCS. At home, a hot-water soak does it. Scarifying is the essential step. The cold, moist rest that follows is not strictly required for winged sumac, according to the USDA Forest Service seed manual, but about two months of chilling is the standard advice for sumac seed, and we recommend 30–90 days for a more even start.

How long do winged sumac seeds take to germinate?

After scarification and cold stratification, sprouts usually show within a few weeks when seeds are planted in a bright spot at spring temperatures. Germination is naturally uneven: some seeds sprout quickly while others wait, even up to the following season.

Can I sow winged sumac seeds directly outdoors?

Yes, this is Method B in our planting guide. Give the seeds a hot-water soak first, then direct-sow in late fall or winter and let natural cold, moisture, and time do the rest. Germination is less predictable than the refrigerator method, but it needs no fridge space.

When is the best time to plant winged sumac seeds?

For Method A (refrigerator stratification): start 8–12 weeks before your target planting date. For a typical April–May plant-out, that means beginning the cold stratification in late January or early February. After stratification, sow within 1–2 weeks; don't let the seeds dry back. For Method B (direct sowing): sow in late fall or early winter so the seeds experience natural cold over winter. The USDA Forest Service seed manual gives both options for sumac: scarified seed can be fall-planted outdoors, or chilled and sown in spring.

How long can I store winged sumac seeds before planting?

Sumac seed has a hard coat and stores well dry. The USDA Forest Service seed manual reports smooth sumac, a close relative, still sprouting at over 60% after 10 years at room temperature, and winged sumac seed surviving 5 years buried in soil. Some seeds do lose their life over time, so plant within a few years for the best results. The manual recommends sealed glass jars at about 37°F (3°C) for winged sumac seed, so a sealed jar in the refrigerator is ideal. Keep the seed dry until you are ready to plant.

Do all the seeds sprout?

No, and that's normal. Native seeds rarely germinate at 100 percent. The staggered germination is a survival strategy. It spreads sprouting across multiple years so that no single weather event can wipe out a whole generation. We recommend ordering a few more seeds than your target plant count.

Are some of your seeds male and some female?

Yes, and that's a good thing. Winged sumac is dioecious, meaning each plant normally grows up as either male or female, and only females bear berries. Plants grown from seed come up as a mix of both sexes, and since every pack we sell contains hundreds of seeds, your planting is very likely to include both. Both sexes flower, and bees and butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. The females then carry the red fruit clusters that feed wildlife into winter. You need both to get berries.

What birds eat winged sumac berries?

Many. Connecticut Audubon counts at least 98 bird species that eat sumac fruit, and the USDA NRCS names ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and many songbirds. The fruit clusters often hang on through winter, providing food at a season when softer fruits are gone. More on the wildlife benefits page.

Do pollinators use winged sumac?

Yes. Bees and butterflies visit the summer flowers for nectar, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center lists winged sumac as of special value to native bees and honey bees. NC State Extension notes it is also a caterpillar host plant for the red-banded hairstreak butterfly.

Is winged sumac good for erosion control?

Yes. Sumac roots spread widely near the surface and send up new shoots, and the USDA Forest Service seed manual calls sumacs valuable for erosion control on roadsides and eroded or depleted soils.

Where do your seeds come from?

Our winged sumac seeds are wild-harvested by hand from native stands in Arkansas, then cleaned, inspected, and packed for shipment. No chemical treatments, no hybrids, just clean native seed.

Do you ship outside the United States?

We currently ship within the United States only. Native plant seeds are subject to international agricultural import regulations that vary by country, and we don't have the resources to navigate them at this time.

Do you offer wholesale or bulk pricing?

Yes, we work with restoration projects, conservation organizations, and commercial growers on bulk and wholesale orders. See our wholesale contact for details.

How long until my seeds arrive?

See our shipping information for current handling and delivery times.