The African Sumac (Rhus lancea), also known as African tallowwood or simply Sumac, is a versatile and hardy tree that has gained popularity in various regions. This evergreen tree, native to South Africa, offers numerous benefits, including superior drought tolerance and attractive foliage. However, it's essential to be aware of its potential ecological impacts and maintenance requirements.
African Sumac Tree with fruits
Characteristics of African Sumac
African Sumac is characterized by its dense, bushy growth and glossy, evergreen leaves. The easiest way to identify this tree is through its leaves, which consist of 3 lanceolate leaflets (hence the scientific name Searsia lancea). Younger leaves are light green and turn a deeper color as they mature. The tree can reach heights of up to 30-40 feet tall and equally wide, creating dense canopies.
Additional characteristics include:
- Reddish brown trunk and branches that turn into gray
- Tiny, green-yellow flowers that grow in clusters when in bloom
- Dense, rounded to spreading habit with a slightly weeping appearance
- Attractive rough, reddish-brown bark
Benefits of Planting African Sumac
African Sumac offers several advantages, making it a desirable choice for many landscapes:
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- Drought Tolerance: African Sumac offers superior drought tolerance, making it a favorite shade tree for yards throughout the Southwest. These are durable Rhus lancea that thrive in intense desert heat and can tolerate cold.
- Evergreen Foliage: Rhus lancea is from South Africa and features evergreen leaves so that they can provide great greenery all year long.
- Versatile Use: We like to plant them as a useful screen or tall hedge, and their ability to withstand high wind makes them ideal for use as a windbreak too.
- Adaptability: One of the key attributes of African Sumac is its adaptability. It thrives in a wide range of soil types, from sandy deserts to clay-rich soils, making it a formidable competitor against native plants.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Plant them in a spot with full sun to partial shade exposure and enjoy its umbrella-shaped form and low canopy that offers a cool shady spot for relief from the blazing sun! Specimens are stunning in a grassy area and begging to be explored by kids of all ages!
- Wildlife Attraction: Attracts birds when it produces fruits. Fruit is a food source for birds.
African Sumac tree
Cultivation and Care
To ensure the healthy growth of an African Sumac tree, consider the following:
- Soil: Loose, well-draining soil that is lightly fertile.
- Temperature: It can withstand temperatures down to 15 degrees for a short period of time and does very well in heat. A bit cold sensitive here, but established plants generally recover.
- Water: Apply occasional, deep watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Use a moisture meter or stick your finger through the soil to gauge the moisture level. It’s better to err on the side of underwatering than overwatering. African sumac trees are very hardy in our desert region.
- Sun: Full sun.
- Pruning: Prune for shape and to lift canopy. They are easy to prune or shear and have minimal maintenance requirements too! A Rhus lancea African Sumac can be trained to a single trunk or allowed to grow into a multi-trunk tree with a look that resembles an olive tree.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Despite its benefits, African Sumac also presents some challenges:
- Invasive Potential: African Sumac (Rhus lancea), also known as African tallowwood or simply Sumac, is an invasive plant species that has been causing ecological concerns in the southwestern United States. Very rigorous trees in the desert that frequently outcompete other nearby plants. It has an extensive root system that can easily absorb water. It also reseeds and spreads readily. It may require control from spreading too quickly. Do not plant near natural preserves. Tends to sucker from roots.
- Allergenic Pollen: The plant produces copious amounts of allergenic pollen, which can exacerbate respiratory issues and allergies in individuals living nearby.
- Messiness: Yes, they are quite messy due to leaf, fruit, and flower drop. Can be messy due to leaf, fruit, and flower drop. We don't recommend planting it near swimming pools. Litter from leaf, flower and seed drop.
- Contact Dermatitis: Causes contact dermatitis in some people.
Pests and Diseases
African sumac has minimal pests, which include aphids, especially when in bloom. To control aphids, blast them off with water if the infestation is light. Otherwise, use horticultural oil or soapy water. Repeated application is necessary to disrupt their life cycles.
Propagation
Obtain seeds from the fruits once they have ripened on the branches. Alternatively, wait for the tree to create seedlings nearby. African sumac readily reseeds itself.
Pricing and Availability
At our nursery, an African sumac costs $120 for a 15-gallon container, $250 for a 24-inch box, $750 for a 36-inch box, and $2,500 for a 48-inch + box.
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Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date information on pricing. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.
Table: African Sumac Tree Characteristics and Care
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhus lancea (Searsia lancea) |
| Common Names | African Sumac, African Tallowwood, Karee |
| Mature Height | 30-40 feet |
| Foliage | Evergreen, trifoliate leaves |
| Drought Tolerance | High |
| Soil | Loose, well-draining |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Watering | Occasional, deep watering |
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