Sumac – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing

Sumac, includes Staghorn and Smooth.

In general, these plants need a minimal amount of pruning. Pruning, however, can improve the overall look of the plant. Only prune in early spring before the plant leafs out. Crossing, badly formed or damaged branches should be removed back to a main branch.

Young shrubs benefit greatly from fertilizing, particularly shrubs that are being used for leaf color rather than for flower development. Granular, liquid or stake type fertilizers can be used. Granular types should be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed. An alternative way is to drill or punch 6″ deep holes at the drip line of the plant. Poured into these holes should be a total of 1/4 pound of fertilizer per foot of height or spread of the shrub (divided up and poured evenly between all of the holes). These holes should not be filled with more than 1/3 of the fertilizer and then they should be top filled with soil. This method of fertilization should only be done once a year, and is best done in late fall after leaf drop, or in early spring before bud break.

Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This should be done three or four times per year starting in late April and ending in mid July. Stake type fertilizers can be used following the directions on the package. With any of the above techniques a higher nitrogen mix should be used; 21-7-14, 20-10-10, 16-10-9 or similar mixes. Organic fertilizers, like manure, can also be used with good results. This material should be worked into open soil at a rate of one bushel per 6′ shrub or 100 square feet of bed area.

These shrubs need little winter care but, should be checked now and then for rabbit or other damage. If rabbit damage is found you can protect with a fence formed with hardware cloth (looks like chicken wire but, with small square holes). The plant is tied in, then a section of hardware cloth is put around the outside. The base of the cloth is buried in soil or mulch. This protection should be installed in late November and removed in mid April.