VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Rhus copallinum | Flameleaf Sumac 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Flameleaf sumac is considered a poor to moderately important browse for
white-tailed deer [5,18].  In the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, the twigs
are browsed extensively by white-tailed deer during the winter months
when other more desirable browse is scarce [29].  Mature berries of
flameleaf sumac are eaten by grouse, wild turkey, and songbirds [20,
37].  The bark and twigs are eaten by rabbits, especially during the
winter months [11].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The seeds and fruits of flameleaf sumac are generally low in crude
protein, crude fat, and calcium but high in tannin [29].


COVER VALUE : 
The thickets of flameleaf sumac provide environmental protection for a
variety of birds and mammals throughout its range [9,21].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Flameleaf sumac is tolerant to drought conditions.  In a study conducted
on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Tennessee, flameleaf sumac
showed the greatest and most consistent increase of any shrub during
the drought of 1987 [17]. 

Flameleaf sumac can be propagated by seed or by root cuttings [40].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The bark and leaves of flameleaf sumac contain tannin and are used in
the tanning industry.  The crushed fruit of this species was added to
drinking water by Native Americans to make it more palatable [40].

Because of the attractive colorful features of the leaves and flowers,
flameleaf sumac is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental [15,19].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Flameleaf sumac often competes with pine and other hardwoods [4].
Streamline basal application of the herbicide Garlon 4 has been reported
as having a greater than 80 percent average control of flameleaf sumac
in northern Georgia and eastern Alabama [28].

Flameleaf sumac is sensitive to ozone damage [16,34].

Related categories for Species: Rhus copallinum | Flameleaf Sumac