African Sumac

Shade Trees

Hot-Dry Southwest

94 cities

African Sumac (Rhus lancea) is an evergreen tree from South Africa with long, narrow three-leaflet leaves that give it a weeping, willow-like silhouette. It produces clusters of small reddish-brown berries that birds love and that will absolutely stain your driveway. In the Southwest it is widely planted as a shade tree precisely because it survives on almost no water, but that toughness comes with real trade-offs you should understand before you plant one or buy a house with one already in the yard.

Lifespan

Typically 50 to 75 years under good conditions, though trees in compacted urban soils or those repeatedly overwatered often decline significantly earlier.

Mature Size

Usually 20 to 30 feet tall with a spread of 20 to 35 feet, though trees in irrigated landscapes with rich soil can push larger and develop proportionally more aggressive root systems.

Care & Maintenance

Once established, African Sumac needs very little supplemental irrigation, and overwatering is one of the most common ways people kill it or trigger disease. Deep, infrequent watering every two to four weeks in summer is plenty for a mature tree. It prefers well-drained alkaline soils and full sun, and does not need fertilizer in most Southwest landscapes since rich soil actually encourages the root aggressiveness you are trying to manage.

Common Issues & Threats

Aggressive surface roots: This tree's roots run shallow and wide, and they will lift pavers, crack concrete, clog irrigation drips, and invade septic lines. If the tree is within 15 feet of hardscape or utility lines, that is not a maybe, it is a when.
Allelopathy: African Sumac releases chemicals from its roots and leaf litter that suppress the growth of other plants underneath it. If you are wondering why nothing will grow beneath yours, that is why. Grass, groundcovers, and most perennials simply will not establish in its root zone.
Texas root rot (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora): In Arizona especially, this soil-borne fungus can kill an African Sumac that has been overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil. You will see sudden wilting and leaf drop on what looked like a healthy tree. There is no cure once it takes hold, and the fungus persists in the soil for years afterward.

Pruning Guide

Prune African Sumac in late winter before new growth pushes, and keep your cuts to remove crossing branches, deadwood, or anything growing toward structures. Here is what most people get wrong: they shear it into a ball or lollipop shape, which forces dense interior growth that traps moisture and makes the canopy look unnatural. This tree looks best and stays healthiest with selective thinning that preserves its natural arching form. Avoid heavy pruning in summer when the tree is stressed from heat.

Did You Know?

African Sumac is in the same plant family as poison ivy and poison oak, and people with skin sensitivity to those plants can develop a rash from contact with the sap or cut wood. Most homeowners never hear this until they are trimming branches bare-handed and wonder why their arms are itching. The berries, while messy, were historically used to make a tart drink in parts of Africa, similar to how Native Americans used native sumac species in North America.

Where African Sumac Is Found

African Sumac is common in 94 of the US communities we cover, across 1 climate regions.

Hardiness Zones 5-9

Queen Creek, AZ Zone 9b Catalina Foothills, AZ Zone 9b Oro Valley, AZ Zone 8b Prescott, AZ Zone 7b Summerlin South, NV Zone 9a Fountain Hills, AZ Zone 9b Anthem, AZ Zone 9b New River, AZ Zone 9b Spanish Springs, NV Zone 7a Boulder City, NV Zone 9b Tanque Verde, AZ Zone 9a Los Alamos, NM Zone 7a

... and 82 more cities

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