Smooth sumacs don’t need to be overwintered and bloom intensely in the spring and summer. It is susceptible to several pests and fungal diseases, but no more so than any other species of sumac.
Light
Smooth sumac grows best in full sun and partial shade. Blooms will be more profuse in full sun, and fall colors will be more vibrant.
Soil
Smooth sumacs are adaptable to many soil types, as long as it is well-drained. The sumac is adaptable to a range of pH levels as well.
Water
Until the shrub establishes itself, you should irrigate it regularly by providing a deep drenching watering about once a week during the first growing season. The tree does well in dry to average moisture areas; once established, no watering other than rainwater is necessary. It is somewhat drought tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
The smooth sumac can tolerate a wide range of temperature and humidity. This includes temperate and subtropical regions. Still, smooth sumacs grow best in warm, humid environments.
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize smooth sumacs. It grows adequately in poor soil without any amendments.
Pruning
Prune your smooth sumac in early spring by removing any dead, dying, or diseased branches with pruning shears. Light pruning promotes healthy growth. You can also remove suckers using loppers by cutting them to the ground or pruning 1/4 of the tree’s oldest branches.
Propagating Smooth Sumac
You can propagate smooth sumac in the early winter using root cuttings. Propagating this way has the highest success rate. Here’s how:
How to Grow Smooth Sumac From Seed
You can propagate smooth sumac in the early winter using root cuttings. Propagating this way has the highest success rate. Here’s how:
Overwintering
Smooth sumacs are very hardy trees and don’t require any overwintering measures. During the winter, the trees go into self-protective dormancy and will not suffer from low temperatures. However, saplings grown in pots should be placed indoors during the winter and insulated with fleece or styrofoam under the container.
Common Pests & Diseases
Smooth sumacs are susceptible to pests and diseases common to all sumac trees. This includes mealybugs and caterpillars. If you notice eggs on smooth sumac leaves, remove them with your fingers, crush them, and spray the tree with an insecticide. Smooth sumacs can develop powdery mildew, which you can help prevent with good ventilation and consistently moist soil.
How to Get Smooth Sumac to Bloom
Your smooth sumac will bloom throughout spring and summer, forming large leaves and clusters of five green, yellow, or white flowers. The flower has hairy, pointed lobes and stems that will become smoother with time. Female flower clusters also produce drupes that resemble berries. When the leaves are crushed, the smell is strong and sometimes unpleasant. You may lightly prune the tree and moisten the soil to encourage healthy bloom. Pay attention to potential diseases or pests that may hinder growth. Not only are these very attractive against the bare branches of the shrub, but they are also a feast for birds and other wildlife over winter when food sources become scarce. It feeds around 300 different bird species.
