About This Tree
The Cutleaf Staghorn Sumach, scientifically known as Rhus typhina 'Laciniata', is a distinctive and ornamental deciduous shrub or small tree. It is renowned for its finely dissected, fern-like foliage, which offers a delicate, airy texture that adds visual interest to any landscape. In the fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, providing a spectacular autumn display.
This variety typically reaches a mature height of 4 to 6 meters and has a spread of 3 to 5 meters, making it suitable for medium-sized garden spaces. It grows in a rounded, open form, with picturesque, arching branches that resemble the velvety antlers of a stag, hence the common name "Staghorn Sumach." In summer, it produces clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers, which are followed by dense, cone-shaped clusters of red, hairy fruits that persist into winter, adding seasonal interest and providing food for birds.
Rhus typhina 'Laciniata' is quite adaptable in terms of soil, thriving in well-drained soils but tolerating a variety of soil types, from sandy to clayey. It prefers full sun to partial shade, with the best fall color developing in full sun. This plant is also drought-tolerant once established and can handle urban pollution, making it an excellent choice for a variety of planting conditions. It is a low-maintenance plant that can naturalize in appropriate settings, yet care should be taken as it can spread through suckers, potentially becoming invasive if not managed.