Sumac, Staghorn

Next, we have the Staghorn Sumac, or Rhus typhina, the largest native sumac in the Midwest, which can grow up to 30 feet tall but typically reaches around 20 feet. This fast-growing tree spreads through its root system, forming open colonies that can resemble small patches of woods. Early summer brings large, dense clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, followed by upright, dense clusters of deep red, hairy fruits that mature in late summer. These fruit clusters, up to 1 foot tall, persist throughout winter and spring. The mature bark of the Staghorn Sumac is thin, gray, and slightly rough with rust-colored bumps. Its compound leaves, which are alternately arranged on the stem, can exceed 1 foot in length and contain 11 to 25 linear-oblong leaflets. These leaflets are dark green above, greenish-white below, and toothed along the edges. The medium to light brown twigs are extremely hairy and exudes a milky sap when broken. As the twigs age, they lose their hairs but retain their color. The tree gets its name from these hairy brown twigs, which resemble deer antlers in winter when the leaves have fallen.