Black Locust vs Smooth Sumac - TreeTime.ca

Black Locust vs Smooth Sumac

Robinia pseudoacacia

Rhus glabra

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Locust
Smooth Sumac

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

Smooth Sumac is an excellent shrub for both its ornamental appeal and tolerance of difficult planting sites. You'll love the attractive pyramidal spikes of hairy, red berries that emerge on female plants and the fern-like foliage that covers both male and female varieties.

Ensure you give Smooth Sumac enough space to spread out due to its high suckering nature. While not ideal for small, urban yards, this shrub will make a stunning border along a woodland edge or roadside.

Note:These plants typically reach maturity and make their sex easily known (females producing fruit) in their 3rd or 4th year of growth. Our seedlings are too young to identify their sex.

Black Locust Quick Facts

Smooth Sumac Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $9.99
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: long, thin
Fall colour: scarlet red
Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: BC, SK, MB, ON
Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust