Growing sumac from seed pods - Ask Extension
Hello, we very recently acquired sumac seed pods. We would like to know how we can grow these pods into bushes at our cabin in Cook on Lake Vermilion....
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Growing sumac from seed pods #920039
Asked October 15, 2025, 11:14 PM EDT
Hello, we very recently acquired sumac seed pods. We would like to know how we can grow these pods into bushes at our cabin in Cook on Lake Vermilion.
We are going up next week. Can we plant some seeds then? Should we just store the seeds in our home in Fridley and deal with this next spring? Should we try more than one method? If stored, do we leave them in the refrigerator?
Thank you,
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
A number of factors affect sumac seed germination. These vary somewhat depending upon the species. Many require scarification and stratification.
According to the US Forest Service, staghorn sumac can be scarified by immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid for 1-3 hours or by soaking the seeds in boiling water.
According to the following excerpt from a USDA bulletin, staghorn sumac doesn't require stratification (cold treatment), but many other references recommend it.
"When propagating by seeds, the ideal sowing time depends on the species. Seeds that do not require stratification, such as those of shining, smooth, and staghorn sumacs, are sown best in the spring after a scarification treatment. Seeds scarified in sulfuric acid should be rinsed thoroughly with running water prior to sowing. Species that exhibit double dormancy, such as fragrant and skunkbush sumacs, can be either subjected to scarification and stratification and planted in spring or they can be scarified and sown in the fall, thus allowing winter temperatures to provide moist prechilling naturally (Dirr and Heuser 1987). In general, seeds should be sownat least 1.3 cm (2 in) deep at a rate of about 82 viable seeds/m (25/ft) (Brinkman 1974).
However, depth of planting from 0 to 6 cm (0 to 2.4 in) did not affect percentage emergence of seeds of prairie sumac (Rasmussen and Wright 1988)."
Go here to read the complete publication.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Rhus.pdf
It should be ok to plant the seeds next week if they have been scarified. Winter conditions ensure stratification, needed or not.
If you save seeds over winter, store them in a cool, dry, place. A refrigerator or an unheated garage is ok.
According to the US Forest Service, staghorn sumac can be scarified by immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid for 1-3 hours or by soaking the seeds in boiling water.
According to the following excerpt from a USDA bulletin, staghorn sumac doesn't require stratification (cold treatment), but many other references recommend it.
"When propagating by seeds, the ideal sowing time depends on the species. Seeds that do not require stratification, such as those of shining, smooth, and staghorn sumacs, are sown best in the spring after a scarification treatment. Seeds scarified in sulfuric acid should be rinsed thoroughly with running water prior to sowing. Species that exhibit double dormancy, such as fragrant and skunkbush sumacs, can be either subjected to scarification and stratification and planted in spring or they can be scarified and sown in the fall, thus allowing winter temperatures to provide moist prechilling naturally (Dirr and Heuser 1987). In general, seeds should be sownat least 1.3 cm (2 in) deep at a rate of about 82 viable seeds/m (25/ft) (Brinkman 1974).
However, depth of planting from 0 to 6 cm (0 to 2.4 in) did not affect percentage emergence of seeds of prairie sumac (Rasmussen and Wright 1988)."
Go here to read the complete publication.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Rhus.pdf
It should be ok to plant the seeds next week if they have been scarified. Winter conditions ensure stratification, needed or not.
If you save seeds over winter, store them in a cool, dry, place. A refrigerator or an unheated garage is ok.
