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Staghorn and Smooth Sumac <br />Kj2Il5 ly1lJ2ii1[t Qi2CI R. glabra <br />u ' <br />�. ► <br />., ., <br />Description: <br />Sta�horn suniac is a shr��b or <br />occaisionally a srt�all tree, hcigllt t.o <br />3?'( I On�), ba►-k smooth and gi ay, twias <br />velvety-hairy; leaves odd-pini�ate; leallcts <br />oblong lanceolale ��nd serrate; tlowcr in <br />tertninal panicles appcaring in June; fruit <br />dcupe ii�orc or less spherical, thickly <br />covci•cd with ci'irnson hairs. Wood soft <br />and g�•eenish yellow. Smoath s�i�t�ac is <br />siinilar to lhe above specie;s �;xcept lhat <br />twigs are glabrous (covercd with a tine, <br />waxy, removablc powder imparting a <br />whitish cast to surface). <br />Concern: <br />Staghorn and s►Y��oth s�tmac are native to <br />Norih A«�eiica. Sumac generally grows in dry, i•ocky, or gravelly soil. Su�a�ac is also tolei-ant <br />of other wel! drained candilions and well adapted to conditions on bluff prairies and dry <br />�raiiies siles, growing in the open and in transition areas between woods and praii-�c_ Plai�ts <br />spread profusely by suckering, forming dense, low islands of cover. Sumac clusters readily <br />cover othei- prairie vegetation, esp�;cially in ihe absences of periodic fire. Alihough fire or <br />�'epeated cutting stimulates new growth, nutrient stores are eventually depleted. Considering <br />tl3e small acerage of native prairie remaining, uncontrolled sumac spread im�erils the <br />community. <br />Control: <br />March to IVIay: Prescrii�ed I�urning in tire adapted coiz�munities will kill seedlings and top <br />kill mature plants; periodic tu�e combined with cutting (desci-�bed below) sho�ild control <br />spread of suri�ac species. Some research (TNC; INPC) guidelines showed �uore vigorous <br />growth witI� spring burns: August burns were suggested for areas not in a cutting �-egime. <br />Late May to Early July: Sumac shouEd be cut with loppers, or swede saws tor lai•ge plants, <br />as !ow to the ground as possible to avoid respi-o�tting and safety ha•r.ards. [n areas of heavy <br />sumac cover, where unclerlying vegetation would bc daii�aged by drapping cuttings, rcmove <br />and stack in a less sensative area for later burning_ <br />I,ate ,]uly throug#� August: Return to ear[y summer site to cut resprouts, furlher depleting <br />the eneE�gy stores of the plant5 and decering growth in the next. season. <br />MN UNR Region V State Parks Resource Managcmenl. has found that after 3-5 years oF <br />cutling twic�w a year, an occaisional prescribed �re and/or cu�[ing controls sui3�ae cover on <br />bluFf praii-ics_ <br />MN E)NK Regiuu V�l/9<l: S��urr�s'l'NC I�leu�:m Absuac�. 11. Na�urc Pf�;SCfV(',5 VC�L'I:AI]Ull M:Illil�'CIIICII�CWL�L'IIIICS <br />