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Rhus glabra
Smooth sumac

Culture: A tough and adaptable plant that is well suited to the rigors of poor dry soils along roadside bank cuts common to many highways. It requires full sun and tolerates either light or heavy soils and is quite drought tolerant. In a poor site, such as most roadside cuts, plant stature may be limited to only a few feet whereas growth on a moist fertile site will be much larger.

Insect and disease problems are minimal on this species however, ice and snow loads combined with wind may cause plants to break over at the base. Plants will quickly recover from such breakage.

Usage: Its coarse winter texture and tendency to become leggy and spread over time, mean this plant is not often used in modern small landscapes. It is quite useful for steep bank stabilization, especially when the site is quite dry. They are however, a welcome roadside companion signaling the onset of fall with their brilliant colored leaves.

 
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