Smooth Sumac vs Russian Mountain Ash - TreeTime.ca

Smooth Sumac vs Russian Mountain Ash

Sorbus aucuparia Rossica

Rhus glabra

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

no image
Smooth Sumac

The Russian Mountain Ash is a stunning ornamental tree with the perfect pop of colour. It bears white flowers in the spring and gorgeous orange berries in the fall. Birds enjoy the berries that persist into the winter. It grows tall and can thrive in an urban setting making this an attractive ornamental tree for your landscaping project.

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.

Russian Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Smooth Sumac Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: long, thin
Fall colour: scarlet red
Bark: shiny grey
Flowers: showy white
Berries: orange-red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: BC, SK, MB, ON
Other Names: russian rowan