Sumac
On the right is the Staghorn Sumac(Rhus typhina) which gets its name from its velvety twig covering which resembles a Stag "in Velvet". Its upright cluster of RED Berries is used for making Wine and also a good substitute for Pink Lemonade.
On the left is the loose cluster of flowers on Poison Sumac (Rhus vernix) which contains a contact poison called Urushiol and produce poisonous WHITE Berries.
Both are said to be used as food
for Wildlife and birds when nothing more palatable remains at season's
end. After a long winter of snow-covered ground, the bark will also be
missing as high as a Rabbit's teeth can reach.
If you want to get rid of Sumac,
DON'T
dig it out !
Every bit of rootlet left behind
will parent a new plant !!
The same goes for Poke
Weed or Ink Berry plants.
Instead, when they push through the soil in early spring, mow or cut them off at ground level. Do this all summer whenever you see 2" of new growth or as a routine part of mowing your lawn.
If any should survive the following Spring, keep up this extermination program until they are gone. If you give up before the Sumac does, take consolation from the fact that their fruit benefits Winter Wildlife.
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