Plant sumac in spring or fall, with the root flare at grade, and leave room for a colony to spread.
Plant in spring or fall, with the root flare at grade
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring or fall, while you can water | Do not set a nursery plant in frozen ground |
| Hole | Twice as wide as the root ball, no deeper; flare at grade | Do not bury the flare |
| Spacing | About 10 to 15 feet for a colony, or the width on the tag | Do not plant a colony against a foundation you cannot mow |
| Barrier | An 18-inch root barrier at planting if you need a hard edge | Do not wait until suckers are already under the lawn |
Spring or fall is the window, because roots can take before heat or a hard freeze. [1] Set the flare even with the surrounding soil. Leave 10 to 15 feet if you want a colony, and keep it off a foundation you cannot mow. [2] A colony needs that room from the start. Wet clay in the hole is the usual reason a new plant rots, so skip a low pocket that holds water after rain. staghorn sumac is the usual colony tree. fragrant sumac takes the same flare-at-grade set, but it stays lower — confirm the kind on Types of Sumac.
When should I plant sumac?
Plant in spring or fall, while you can water. A container plant can go in later if you keep the root ball moist.
How far apart should I plant sumac?
Leave about 10 to 15 feet for a colony, or the mature width on the tag. Do not squeeze a colony against a foundation.
How to plant sumac
Set one plant at a time, with the flare at grade, then water to settle.
- Confirm colony tree, low fragrant shrub, or western dry shrub on the tag. If the tag is only a shop name, match it on Types of Sumac.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper, so the flare sits at grade. [3]
- Tease circling roots. Backfill with the soil you removed. Do not bury the flare.
- If you need a hard edge, set an 18-inch root barrier now, before roots run. [4]
- Water thoroughly. After planting, sun and drain are on How to Grow Sumac.
Burying the flare, or setting a colony against a wall you cannot mow, is the usual reason a planting fails. Reset a sunk plant now, while the ball still lifts.
If the flare sits below grade, lift the plant and reset it — do not add more soil on top.
FAQ
Can I plant a container in summer?
Yes if you can water. Keep the root ball moist until fall. Spring or fall is still the easier window.
Do I mix compost into the hole?
No. Backfill with the soil you removed. Wet, rich fill holds water against the roots.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Gardening Know How -
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/how-to-grow-staghorn-sumac - [2] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rhus-typhina/ - [3] Epic Gardening -
https://www.epicgardening.com/staghorn-sumac-tree/ - [4] PlantNative -
https://plantnative.org/native-plants/staghorn-sumac-rhus-typhina.htm
This note is part of Rhus Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors