Sumac tree origin

The sumac (Rhus typhina L) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the sumac family. It is native to North America and was introduced to Europe in 1602.
The sumac is a shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 5 to 10 m and an age of up to 70 years.
The flowers of the sumac tree are small and white or pink in color. They are arranged in dense clusters and have a spherical structure.
The leaves of the sumac tree are large, feathery and green. They change color to bright orange-red in autumn.
The fruits of the sumac tree are elongated cones that range in color from red to green and ripen in late autumn.

In traditional medicine, sumac has long been used to treat inflammation and fever.
The fruits of the sumac tree are used to make vinegar, lemonade and spices.

The sumac is considered to be very hardy and thrives in many different soils and climates. It is often found on the banks of rivers and streams as well as in forests and parklands.

Sumac leaves

Sumac tree care and location

The sumac prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained and slightly moist soil. It can generally grow in any type of soil, but prefers sandy or loamy soil. The best time to plant the sumac is in spring or autumn.

Pruning sumac

Regular pruning is a good idea to keep the sumac healthy and encourage growth. Rejuvenation pruning can be done every year in spring to keep the tree in shape and stimulate growth. Older, woody shoots are removed and the young shoots are cut back. Formative pruning is used to maintain and improve the desired shape of the tree. It can be done at any time as long as the plant is not flowering.

Watering the sumac

The sumac prefers dry conditions and therefore normally requires less water than other plants. However, care should be taken to keep the soil moist in the first year of planting to support root growth. In subsequent years, the sumac usually rarely requires additional water. Excessive watering can damage the sumac's roots and should therefore be avoided. However, due to climate change, our regions are becoming increasingly hotter and longer dry periods are the result. This has an impact on the environment and especially on the trees. Increasing dryness and rising temperatures cause stress in trees.

Depending on the location and the climate, it may be necessary to water the sumac more often than in previous years. Sumac trees have shallow roots and many small roots close to the surface. When watering with a hose, a lot of the water evaporates before it penetrates the soil and reaches the roots of the sumac. Further moisture is lost as it seeps past the roots into the soil.
An efficient way to water the sumac tree is with the help of tree bath watering bagsThe bags release water evenly over several hours as drip irrigation onto the tree, so that the roots can absorb the moisture well. The irrigation bag also covers the surface of the soil, preventing moisture from evaporating. The capacity of the tree bath irrigation bag is 75 to 100 liters and is sufficient to supply a sumac tree. The soil should not be kept constantly moist, as the sumac tree's roots develop better in dry conditions and are more resistant to fungal diseases.

Fertilizing sumac trees

The sumac tree usually does not require any additional fertilizationIt is a robust plant and can thrive in most soils. In particularly poor soils, however, it can be helpful to apply organic fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings in the spring and work it in lightly. To avoid over-fertilization, it is advisable to analyze the nutrient content of the soil beforehand.

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