Staghorn sumac

[outdoorstom]

I’ve got some sumac growing on a hillside near my house. I want to establish a thicket in one of my fields and I was wondering if anyone has done this? What the best way? Cuttings? Dig up and transplant? Any advice from someone who has done it would be appreciated!

 

[Chainsaw]

Hi Tom,
Am in the process of possibly starting a stand from seed. Have planted lots of seeds in plastic jugs to produce sumac seedlings for transplant. Will let you know what if anything comes of it.

 

[Mennoniteman]

I know that this isn't your question, but I can tell you what weapons to use to go to war against it after it starts taking over your property like it's trying to do with some of mine. I battle this plant with chainsaws and pump sprayers, axes and triclopyr, bulldozers and glyphosate. Staghorn sumac becomes invasive and displaces quality trees if not controlled. And how do you keep birds from spreading the seeds. Or maybe you are too far north for it to spread on it's own? I'll gladly send you some seeds, but why do you want it in your field?

 

[Logan Mingoia]

I would start by trying to transplant some during the dormant season. Sumac responds to canopy damage by shooting up root sprouts. Once you have a few established i would go through and either cut / damage a few trees. This will help you get that thicket you are looking for. Oh yea and Staghorn Sumac are dioecious which means they have separate male and female plants. Make sure you plant both male and female if you want some fruit production.

Good luck let us know how it goes!!

 

[Chainsaw]

Sumac seed experiment planted in jugs appears to have failed; no seeds germinated out of hundreds.

 

[outdoorstom]

I know that this isn't your question, but I can tell you what weapons to use to go to war against it after it starts taking over your property like it's trying to do with some of mine. I battle this plant with chainsaws and pump sprayers, axes and triclopyr, bulldozers and glyphosate. Staghorn sumac becomes invasive and displaces quality trees if not controlled. And how do you keep birds from spreading the seeds. Or maybe you are too far north for it to spread on it's own? I'll gladly send you some seeds, but why do you want it in your field?

This 22 acre field has 3 acres worth of food plots and I’m establishing more cover around them. Switchgrass is established in 4 acres, native willow trees are moving in on their own, which I’m very happy to see. I dug up and transplanted 1/2 a dozen of the sumac and half have made it. They probably all would have if I’d have watered them, but all Spring and Summer have been dedicated to getting 4 new plots in on a new parcel. I want this field to be as thick as possible, so I’m hoping they spread. From your comment, that shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[outdoorstom]

Sumac seed experiment planted in jugs appears to have failed; no seeds germinated out of hundreds.

I guess you don’t know until you try!