Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra

Layer 3 · Shrubs
Dynamic accumulator

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Smooth sumac (*Rhus glabra*) is a deciduous shrub native to North America that grows in dense colonies, reaching between two to four metres in height through root suckers. In a food forest, it acts as a pioneer species and soil stabiliser, attracting numerous pollinators with its summer flowering. In addition to its ecological role, its tart red berries are edible, providing a seasoning rich in vitamin C and a vital food resource for wildlife throughout the winter.

It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.

See which trees smooth sumac grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Shrub up to 3 m
Mature diameter: 2.5 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold

Calendar

January — Planting
February — Planting
March — Planting
April
May
June
July
August — Harvest
September — Harvest
October — Harvest — Planting
November — Planting
December — Planting

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The tart red fruits are used in making refreshing drinks and infusions rich in vitamin C.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.