The Tree With Stunning Fall Colors You Can Grow In Your Yard That Birds & Pollinators Love

Imagine a tree that could usher in scores of birds, bees, and butterflies throughout the growing season, then quickly adorn your yard in incredible fall colors after summer winds down. The staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a versatile tree that does just that. It features pinnately compound leaves that are green in the summer and shift into vibrant, show-stopping hues of orange, yellow, and red in the fall. It flowers in the summer, producing greenish-yellow flowers. On female trees, the flowers turn into fuzzy cone-shaped fruit clusters. Pollinators and birds gravitate towards the blooms, and many animals rely on the fruit as a food source through the winter. 

Standing anywhere from 15 to 25 feet tall, staghorn sumac tends to grow in dense thickets 20 to 30 feet wide, sprawling out easily through self-seeding and root suckering. It's part of the Anacardiaceae family, a large group of fruit-bearing plants that include the cashew and mango tree. It's not uncommon for the staghorn sumac to get a bad wrap. It often gets lumped in with the poison sumac even though it does not carry the same risk of contact dermatitis. It tends to form colonies easily and is listed as invasive in Wisconsin (growing it there could damage local habitats). However, elsewhere, its suckering behavior can prove to be helpful in areas in need of erosion control. The trees' tendency to grow in colonies can also make this plant an excellent barrier for privacy if you have a smaller backyard.

The staghorn sumac is the quintessential low-maintenance addition to your landscaping. Hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8, this plant flourishes in a variety of different environments. However, the trees tend to do best in nutrient-dense, well-drained soil. They prefer full sunlight but can manage in partial shade. 

If you've decided to plant staghorn sumac on your property, carefully consider where to place your sapling. Select a spot that gives the tree enough space to spread without encroaching on existing landscaping features. Newly planted sumac plants may require extra water during dry seasons. You can also help the surrounding soil retain moisture by adding a layer of mulch around the base of the freshly planted tree. Once established, this plant is quite self-sustaining. There's no need to fertilize your staghorn sumac unless it looks wilted or discolored. If that's the case, apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring. 

Be cautious when digging close to your sumac. Damaging its shallow roots may trigger undesired new growth. You can prevent excess growth by cutting root suckers promptly after they emerge. In the fall, harvest the seed cones to use as a spice or leave them on the plant to serve as an emergency food for birds. Whether you're looking for a shrub to attract birds to your yard or a stunning fall foliage display, the staghorn sumac is an excellent option.