Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina 'Dissecta')

Overview

Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’, commonly known as Cut-leaved staghorn sumac, provides outstanding textural contrast in the landscape due to its deeply dissected, fern-like foliage. This cultivar of Staghorn sumac is particularly prized for its unique leaves and brilliant autumn display of orange, yellow, and red hues, making it a focal point when many other plants fade. As a vigorous, suckering shrub, it establishes quickly, excelling in challenging sites where other ornamentals struggle.

While the species plant is the largest North American sumac, the ‘Dissecta’ cultivar often maintains a slightly more manageable shrub form, though its aggressive spreading nature must be accounted for in design. The young stems are covered in fine, reddish-brown hairs, mimicking velvet on a stag’s antlers, providing interest even in winter. Staghorn sumac offers significant ecological value through its persistent autumn and winter fruit clusters, which feed local wildlife.

Gardeners looking for a fast-growing specimen for screening, erosion control, or naturalizing should strongly consider Staghorn sumac. Its adaptability to poor soils and dry conditions, coupled with its tolerance for urban stress, makes Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ a robust and reliable choice, provided sufficient space is available for its eventual spread.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Anacardiaceae
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 10-25 ft
  • Spread: 15-25 ft
• Bloom Time: July
• Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Plant Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ in the spring or fall during cooler weather for best establishment. This plant is highly adaptable; it thrives in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. While it tolerates diverse soil types, avoid locations where water pools, as it performs poorly in poorly drained sites. Full sun encourages the best fall coloration and heaviest fruiting, though it adapts well to part shade conditions.

Maintenance for Staghorn sumac is relatively low once established, though it requires management due to its growth habit. Watering needs are low to moderate; allow the soil to dry out between waterings, especially for mature specimens, which are highly drought-tolerant. Limited fertilization is usually necessary, as excessive feeding can promote weak, overly lush growth, potentially increasing disease susceptibility.

The primary cultural task for Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ involves managing its spread. This shrub readily forms thickets through root suckering. For landscape planting, choose a location where its aggressive nature can be either beneficial (e.g., slope stabilization) or where suckers can be continually pruned back. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the shrub or control size, focusing on removing crossing or damaged wood.

Landscape Uses

Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ is unparalleled for large-scale stabilization efforts regarding embankments or quickly covering difficult, neglected areas of the yard. Its spreading habit makes it an excellent naturalizing plant for informal settings or woodland edges where a dense screen is required quickly. The fern-like foliage offers a soft, textural element contrasting well against broad-leaved evergreens or fine-textured ornamental grasses.

Avoid using Staghorn sumac in formal shrub borders or small garden beds where its aggressive root suckering will pose a constant management challenge. Instead, pair it with other tough, adaptable perennials and shrubs tolerant of dry soils and occasional neglect. Consider mass plantings where its vibrant fall color can create a massive, unified sweep across the hillside.

The ornamental qualities of Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’—the fuzzy stems, deep-cut leaves, and persistent red fruit cones—ensure year-round visual interest. This makes it a valuable structural component for low-maintenance landscapes designed to mimic natural wild areas.

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Rhus typhina, commonly called staghorn sumac, is the largest of the North American sumacs, noted for the reddish-brown hairs covering young branchlets that resemble a stag’s velvet horns. It is also recognized for its excellent fall foliage, which transforms into attractive shades of yellow, orange, and red, complementing its showy pyramidal fruit clusters that ripen bright red in autumn. The cultivar ‘Dissecta’ is especially valued for its large, deeply dissected, compound pinnate leaves, which create an unusual, fern-like appearance across its large, spreading form.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Drought
• Erosion
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil
• Black Walnut

Potential Problems

Staghorn sumac is generally tough, but gardeners should watch for common issues like leaf spots, rusts, powdery mildew, blisters, and cankers, especially in humid or crowded conditions. Scale insects, aphids, and caterpillars may occasionally appear on susceptible plants. To mitigate disease, ensure proper air circulation by spacing plants adequately and pruning dense interior growth.

The most significant challenge associated with both the species and Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ is its aggressive tendency to spread via root suckers. This characteristic means it rapidly colonizes open ground, forming dense thickets. In planned landscapes, regular monitoring and immediate removal of unwanted suckers emerging outside the desired zone is crucial for maintaining neat boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Staghorn sumac suitable for?

Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ is highly cold-hardy, thriving across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.

How large does Staghorn sumac grow?

This cultivar typically reaches heights between 10 and 25 feet, with a broad spread ranging from 15 to 25 feet wide, forming a very open, spreading profile.

What sun exposure does Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ need?

For optimal performance, blooming, and fall color development, this plant requires full sun exposure, although it can tolerate conditions dipping into part shade.

When does Staghorn sumac bloom?

The greenish-yellow flowers of Staghorn sumac typically appear during the month of July.

Conclusion

Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ is an exceptional choice for gardeners needing robust texture, rapid coverage, and spectacular fall color in challenging, well-drained sites. Its unique, deeply cut foliage provides year-round interest, easily redeeming its maintenance requirement for managing suckers. Before planting this vigorous Staghorn sumac, ensure you have adequate space to accommodate its full, spreading habit across your landscape.

Wildlife Benefits

The fruit clusters of Staghorn sumac provide a critical late-season food source. The hairy, berry-like drupes persist through autumn and often into winter, offering sustenance to numerous bird species when other food sources become scarce. The dense, thicket-forming nature of this shrub also provides excellent cover and nesting sites for smaller wildlife in naturalized areas.

Companion Planting

Because Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’ prefers dry, average soils and full sun, pair it with other durable, drought-tolerant natives that thrive under similar conditions. Consider using plants such as native ornamental grasses like Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or tough, dry-site shrubs like certain varieties of Yucca or native Sumacs that do not spread as aggressively. This approach ensures all plants in the grouping share similar cultural needs, simplifying long-term maintenance.