Rhus typhina – Staghorn Sumac

Sumacs are early successional species that colonize open fields and roadside strips. Once there, they aggressively spread by suckering from their root system. They’re great trees for wildlife – indeed they are such successful colonists because female trees offer berries that birds depend on for winter survival – bribing them in exchange for being spread around. Less well known is the appeal of sumac flowers to beneficial insects, including honeybees. Bright red fall foliage make this an attractive tree for humans as well.  A lemon-flavored beverage, sometimes called “Indian Lemonade,” can be made by steeping the berries in cold water.