Trees of Alabama and the Southeast Home Page

Leaves are compound, alternate, and deciduous with 11-31 leaflets and a bright red rachis.  Leaves turn bright red in the fall. Twigs are stout with a smooth, waxy surface and heart-shaped leaf scars which encircle fuzzy lateral buds.  Bark is brown and smooth with lenticels.  Flowers are greenish-white. Fruit is a cluster of bright red drupes.  Smooth sumac is a shrub or small tree forming thickets in open areas in the east and central U.S. and is intolerant of shade.  The fruits are eaten by birds and taste very tart.

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All text and photographs are intended for educational purposes only and are not for commercial use in any form.  All photographs are copyrighted by the named photographer(s), text copyright by Lisa Samuelson. © 2005, all rights reserved. Photographs by Mike Hogan.