Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) · Species Notes

Restoration Role

Drought-tolerant wildlife shrub. Fragrant Sumac provides cover, fruit, erosion control, and low thicket structure.

Site Suitability

PrimaryUpland Savanna, Shelterbelt, Filter Band, Drainage Edge

SecondaryHigh river terrace

AvoidWet core, saturated soils

SoilsSeC, RuB, SuB

HydrologyDry to moderate, well-drained

Propagation & Care

Seed collectionCollect ripe red drupes late summer to fall.

StratificationScarify (hot-water soak or acid), then cold stratification 30–60 days.

PropagationFrom division: fragrant sumac spreads by rhizomes — lift a rooted sucker or divide a clump in winter. From cuttings: semi-hardwood in summer, rooting hormone recommended.

Container progressionSeed / cutting → 5-inch pot → 1-gal fabric if needed → Field planting.

Nursery wateringLow to moderate. Avoid soggy soil. Fabric stage: if the plant moves up from the 5-inch pot, fabric dries much faster than plastic and needs a lot more watering outdoors in a Central Texas summer. We have not set the frequency yet.

LightFull sun.

OutplantingBest age 6–18 months. Plant November–February. Stock held in a 1-gal fabric pot can go out later — air-pruned roots don’t circle, so the window extends. The first cohort will set the actual figure.

Establishment Watering

Year 1: 5 gallons every 2–3 weeks during drought.
Year 2: drought only.

Field notesUseful as a low, tough shrub layer around oak savanna plantings.