Sumac in lawn - Ask Extension
My neighbors Sumac tree has apparently dropping seeds into my yard. I now have dozens of Sumac trees/seedlings popping up in my lawn, growing much fas...
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Sumac in lawn #873483
Asked June 17, 2024, 3:51 PM EDT
My neighbors Sumac tree has apparently dropping seeds into my yard. I now have dozens of Sumac trees/seedlings popping up in my lawn, growing much faster then my grass. I cut my grass one week ago, and now have Sumac at 6"-10" tall sprouting up. I have been at this house for 6 1/2 years with never a problem. Is there a way to eradicate it from my lawn other than trying to pull then up by hand? Thanks.
Muskegon County Michigan
Expert Response
Are you concerned with Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) or the closely related but bigger Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)? Pull several seedlings out of the lawn noting whether they seem like individual plants (sprouting from a seed) or sprouts coming from a shallow root (rhizome). Removing the seedlings by hand is more labor intensive but is more friendly to the environment. An alternative would be to apply a broadleaf weed killer only in those areas where the sumac shoots are growing to kill them without harming the turf.
More info in the attached links:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2578e/
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275934&isprofile=1&basic=Rhus%20glabra - Rhus glabra info
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275945&isprofile=1&basic=Rhus%20typhina - Rhus typhina info
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1538-control-tree-seedlings-lawns/ - the problem is suckers coming from rhizomes
https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/control-options-for-buckbrush-roughleaf-dogwood-and-smooth-sumac-591-3 - recommends use of 2,4-D herbicide for killing full size plants
I would be cautious about spraying a herbicide on smooth sumac plants, if they are suckers coming from rhizomes, as you might kill the neighbor's plant too. Always follow the herbicide label directions attached to the herbicide container you are using including personal protective equipment (clothing). Remember, the label is the law.
I'm also a bit confused that the problem starts after 6 years. What has changed? Did the neighbor's sumac finally mature and produce seed last year or what?
More info in the attached links:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2578e/
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275934&isprofile=1&basic=Rhus%20glabra - Rhus glabra info
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275945&isprofile=1&basic=Rhus%20typhina - Rhus typhina info
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1538-control-tree-seedlings-lawns/ - the problem is suckers coming from rhizomes
https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article/control-options-for-buckbrush-roughleaf-dogwood-and-smooth-sumac-591-3 - recommends use of 2,4-D herbicide for killing full size plants
I would be cautious about spraying a herbicide on smooth sumac plants, if they are suckers coming from rhizomes, as you might kill the neighbor's plant too. Always follow the herbicide label directions attached to the herbicide container you are using including personal protective equipment (clothing). Remember, the label is the law.
I'm also a bit confused that the problem starts after 6 years. What has changed? Did the neighbor's sumac finally mature and produce seed last year or what?
I'm also a bit confused that the problem starts after 6 years. What has changed? Did the neighbor's sumac finally mature and produce seed last year or what? The neighbors tree is about '12-'14 feet tall. i have had a couple of plants/seedlings in the past, which I easily plucked from the ground. Last fall, I had a 15' tree removed from my back yard, plus several overgrown Japenese yews. Those that are plaguing my lawn this year usually pull up quite easily (the smaller ones), but, several have the rhizones, which extend under the surface of the grass, usually breaking off when I keep pulling on them. Thanks for your reply. Dan.
