We first noted the fall foliage of the smooth sumac (
Rhus glabra) back in September, in an
'Autumn Update'. The transformation is now complete: all the leaves have turned red, of varying shades.
The smooth sumac entered the arboretum collection in October 1996 when Ed Leuck collected several specimens from the wilds of Caddo Parish. These were nurtured in pots until 1998 when they were planted in the ground on one of the arboretum's many clay slopes. By the year 2000, the sumacs in this initial planting had sent out their roots and established a second patch. The smooth sumacs you'll see today in the arboretum (and in the picture below) are from the second patch; the original plantings were later removed.
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| Smooth sumacs tend to develop as bushes rather than trees. In this grouping, which has been growing since 2000, there is one small tree and approximately 10 younger, smaller shoots, forming a thicket. |
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| The trunk of the small tree can be identified in this photo. It appears to be leaning to the left. |
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| Another view shows that the tree is leaning down-slope and seems to be partially propped-up by a rock. |
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| In the fall, smooth sumac leaves are stunning shades of red. |
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| The compound leaves are very long. This one measures more than 18 inches. |
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| The underside is a pale pink. |
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| The long-pointed red leaflets have toothed margins. In this photo we can see that the petioles are red, too. |
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| This leaflet measures to 4 inches. |
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| This is the trunk of the small tree, approximately 17 years of age. The bark is dark gray and lightly textured. |
You can see more pictures of the arboretum's smooth sumacs
here.
For more information about this species consult the following:
Texas Native Plants Database (Texas A&M University)
United States Department of Agriculture
NC State University
