Search for

Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Rhus typhina Trade Name Staghorn sumac Family Name Anacardiaceae Common Names American sumac , Hairy sumac, Lemonade berry, Skunk bush, Staghorn sumac, Sumac, Sumach, Tetlazian, Velvet sumac, Vinegar tree Regions of Distribution Central America, North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, Mexico, United States Common Uses Candlesticks, Carvings, Furniture, Specialty items, Turnery Environmental Profile Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The natural growth range extends from Nova Scotia westward to North Dakota, eastern Iowa and in all states in the eastern half of the United States, from Maine to eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, northwestern Georgia and northern Alabama. Heartwood Color Red Purple Pink Brown The heartwood is orange-green or may be golden yellow streaked with shades of brown and green. The heartwood is reported to fluoresce under black light Sapwood Color White Yellow Pink Very thin Nearly white, pale yellowish-brown, or cream to lemon Grain Even Interlocked Straight Even Interlocked Birds-eye (figure) Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Stripe (figure) Variable (figure) Texture Fine Medium Very prominent ring pores Light in weight Large logs may have defective soft hearts Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive Luster Medium The wood is described as quite attractive, with a high, satiny luster Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-durable Moderately durable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Drying Defects Internal Honeycombing Possible Checking Collapse Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Dries fairly quickly with minimum degrade Air dries readily Air dries easily Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 0-10 m Bole length is 10-20 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m The largest of the native Sumacs, the tree is described as a large shrub, and is often found in thickets. The occasional tree is about 35 to 40 feet (11 to 12 m) high, with a trunk diameter of up to 12 inches (30 cm). The name staghorn is derived from the appearance of the tree after its beautiful red, purple and yellow leaves fall from velvety branches resembling the antlers of a stag. Product Sources The material is unavailable in commercial quantities, but can be obtained for small projects as might be undertaken by a craftsperson. Comments Freshly-Cut wood is reported to exude a thick, sticky pitch from the region between the bark and the wood. Seasoned wood is free of the pitch Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy The wood responds well to very sharp cutting edges since it is soft. It works easily but surfaces tend to be woolly Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Turning is reported to yield fuzzy surfaces which require considerable sanding to smooth. Sumac is well worth using because of its unusual color and grain pattern Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Staining Fair to Good Results Numerical Data Item Green Dry English References Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kline, M. 1979. Rhus typhina - Staghorn sumac. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 316-317. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J.,1939,American Woods of the Family Anacardiaceae,Tropical Woods,8(60,pp11-45