Staghorn Sumac- Rhus hirta

Native deciduous  perennial shrub grows 15-30 ft., forms colonies, interesting branches with velvety twigs.  Great fall foliage. On female plants, yellow-green flowers (June-July) are followed by fuzzy, bright red berries in erect, pyramidal clusters which persist throughout winter.  In winter, its bare forking twigs resemble deer antlers "in velvet,".

Can grow in all light conditions: FS/PS/Shade with dry rocky or gravely soils  Drought tolerant

Use Wildlife: Berries are a preferred food source for ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, eastern phoebe, common crow, northern mockingbird, gray catbird, American robin, wood thrush, hermit thrush, eastern bluebird and European starling and  also used by over 30 other species. The fruit hangs on throughout the winter, making it an excellent emergency source of food. Honeybees & native bees are attracted to the flowers in spring & nesting structure for native bees.
Use Food: Indians made a lemonade-like drink from the crushed fruit of this and related species. Fruit is ripe when it is an even deep red (late July-August). High Vitamin C content.
Use Other: The tannin-rich fruit, bark and leaves were used to tan hides. The leaves and fruits were boiled to make black ink, and the dried leaves were an ingredient in smoking mixtures.

Integrated pest management (IPM)- a plant that attracts predatory insects that prey on pest insects