246 THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 
THE SUMACS 
The sumac family contains about sixteen species 
found in North America. They all have large pithy 
twigs and a milky or sometimes sticky juice. Many 
of them are used extensively in the tanning industry, 
as they contain considerable tannin and red coloring 
matter as well. The poison sumac belongs to this group 
and can be distinguished by its ivory white fruit. 
SMOOTH SUMAC 
SMOOTH SUMAC 
Rhus glabra 
Form 
A low-growing and spreading shrub 
5-15 feet high occasionally reach- 
ing tree form. 
LEAVES 
Compound, composed of 11-81 leaf- 
lets 2-34” long, toothed, pale be- 
neath. Leaf stem and branchlets 
smooth. 
FRvIT 
A fleshy fruit with rather dry flesh 
surroundmg a smooth stone; ar- 
ranged in cylindrical clusters. 
RANGE 
New England to Florida, Texas and 
Missourl. 
