Sumac Problem

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
amaznjohn Ridgeway, VA Sep 22, 2008

I bought a new sumac to put in my yard 2 months ago. It's about 2.5 feet tall. Since then the branches and leaves have been slowly turning black and dying. I live in zone 7 and I thought these plants were very easy to maintain. Does anyone know why it could be dying? Thank you for any help.

Post #5586336
Quote
ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Sep 23, 2008

Could you be watering too much? Things turning black and dying are often a sign of fungus which can often be caused by too much water. If you can post a picture that might help.

Post #5586815
Quote
Rocco Tulsa, OK(Zone 7a) Sep 23, 2008

The sumac will eventually try to turn itself into a grove. After several years mine grew very large and added a lot of color to my yard in the fall. Then it began sending up new sumac shoots all over my yard, at last count I had over a hundred new sumac trees. I cut down the 'mother' tree and it took several months to eradicate the small shoots. Most of this was accomplished by digging up the extended roots and strong doses of herbicide. I posted details of this horror on Dave's Garden. I would have been better off if I had killed the beast the day after it was planted.

Thumbnail by Rocco
Post #5590058
Quote
gardenfinds Tulsa, OK(Zone 7a) Sep 25, 2008

I'm with you Rocco on the Sumac. They grow wild in the woods near my house and are lovely. However, I actually purchased one and planted it and it grew tall and lovely too. In a short amount of time, I had new sumac trees coming up all over my gardens and yard. The last straw was when I kept finding them in my vegetable garden. I cut the thing down, drilled a hole deep into the stump and poured in vinegar. It never came back although every now & then I'll find a baby sumac rearing its ugly head in one of my beds and I just dig it up. If yours die, don't get another! Just enjoy them in the countryside...this is just my opinion, may not be shared by all.

Post #5595578
Quote
dividedsky Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Sep 25, 2008

John, you can check the Invasives forum or Plant Files in the Guides and Information of this site for information what is and isn't invasive - unless you have the room to let it do its thing and take over.

I think the thornless locust trees with the small leaves would be an attractive replacement, but I don't know enough to say whether those trees are invasive as well.

Post #5598212
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP