Image sourced from Wikimedia/Omar Hoftun
There are some trees that look more like bushes than tree plants, but precisely for this reason the Rhus typhina It is a very interesting species. It grows fast, tolerates pruning, and what about its leaves?
For much of the year they look green, but as soon as the cold approaches they become even more precious if possible. So whether you have a garden or just a patio or terrace, I can assure you that you will enjoy seeing how this wonderful plant grows.
What is its origin and its characteristics?
In order to see it grow in its natural state we have to go to the eastern North America, although we will also see it in southeastern Canada. And of course, since we humans need to name everything in order to communicate better, the great master Carlos Linneo decided to call it Tetradium danielli back in 1756, although today botanists know it as Rhus typhina; while it is popularly known as rus, rustifina or Virginia sumac.
If we talk about its characteristics, we have to say that reaches a height between 3 and 10 meters, with a more or less oval crown made up of pubescent branches (covered by very short hairs). The leaves are made up of 9-31 leaflets or pinnae up to 55cm long, green except in autumn when they turn reddish-orange before falling.
Es dioecious, which means that there are male specimens and female specimens. The flowers of the former grow in large pink spikes, and those of the latter are the same but smaller and do not stand out as much. The fruits are ovoid in shape, are bright-red and measure about 20cm.
What care do you need to live?
What do you need to know to be able to enjoy the beauty of this tree (or small tree)? So basically that it has to be - and this is very important - outsideeither in full sun or semi-shade. Its roots are not invasive, although it is necessary to know that in its habitat, and if the conditions are very favourable, it can grow in groups, which is why if you want it that way, it will have to be planted at least 4-5 meters from walls, walls, etc.
Irrigation has to be moderate since it does not resist drought. In general, I recommend watering it about 3 times a week during the summer, and about 2 times a week the rest of the year. Take advantage of the warm season to fertilize it with guano or compost from time to time, and you will see how beautiful it gets.
It multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring, germinating or rooting after two or three weeks. And if it was not enough, it resists frosts down to -7ºC and, in addition, it admits lime.
Hello, good afternoon I would like to get the rhus typhina plant
Hello Elena.
Comments are approved before they are published, that's why they didn't appear for you 🙂
Regarding your question, where are you from? On eBay, for example, I know that they sell seeds.
Regards!
Watch out. Find out, because it is toxic. Known as sumac..
Hello Alvaro.
I have not been able to find any scientific information on this. If you find anything, please let me know.
From Rhus succedanea (now called Toxicodendron succedaneum) Yes. This tree is toxic if touched, and can cause irritation. It looks a lot like Rhus typhina.
Regards!
Hello. Several years ago I had a rhus typhina in a pot. This fall, I sowed aleli seeds in it. They all germinated and are in flower. The rhus regrowth at the beginning of September, but now its growth seems to have stopped.
Last year I did the same thing in a pot where I had a rococo rose and it ended up dying
Please would you tell me what
I must do?
Thank you
Hello Beatriz.
There are some plants that do not like to share a pot. When it comes to trees, shrubs and palms, it is better to plant them in individual pots, and not plant anything else in them to avoid losses or problems.
Greetings.
What's up, I've planted a rhus, but I don't know if it's succedanea or typhina, how can I frequent it!!? Greetings
Hello Alberto.
If it has serrated leaf margins, it is an R. typhina 🙂
Greetings.
Hello! Why did mine never bloom? We never saw the flower...
Hello Florence.
It may have been lacking in nutrients, or perhaps water.
Greetings.
I was given a rhus sucedania and the place to plant it is near a fig tree, given its toxicity it can make figs toxic, I await your advice, thank you.
Hi Norma.
Well, let's see, now it is not a rhus, but it has become: Toxicodendron succedaneum.
This tree is very toxic, but to my knowledge, it is not capable of transmitting its toxin to other plants. In any case, in case of doubt it is better to contact a botanist.
Greetings.
Hello, how long does it take to grow approx and what pests could it have? Because despite the care we give him, he doesn't look pretty and he hasn't grown much at all.
Hi Pamela.
It is a plant that grows fast, at a rate of about 40cm or so per year. It has to be in the sun, and if possible on the ground. It is quite resistant to pests.
In the article you have more information.
Regards!
Hi, I'm from Central America. That Rhus typhina tree can grow here. Thanks
Hello david.
It depends a lot on the climate of your area. If the four seasons are well differentiated, yes; but if not, no, since it needs to be cold in winter.
regards
Hello. Excellent info on rhus. They gave me seeds and a week ago 6 sprouted, when could I transplant them into a pot? Winter is ending in my area (Tucuman, Argentina). Thanks a lot
Hello Ruben.
It's best to wait until they have at least two pairs of true leaves. But one thing, are they all in the same pot? If so, the ideal is to do it as one who says »already», to prevent their roots from intertwining.
Yes, very carefully. He takes the plants out of the pot (with soil), and then gently separates the little trees.
Greetings.
Hello! I would like to know if its roots are capable of raising walls, I have found them up to 2 meters from the tree and very thick. I wouldn't want it to break the party wall.
Hi Flower.
Roots cannot build walls unless the ground is soft and the wall is not sufficiently well fixed.
Greetings.