Smooth sumac for birds in British Columbia
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 28 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in British Columbia
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- British Columbia birds supported
- 28
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in British Columbia
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
British Columbia birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (11)
House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Spotted Towhee, Varied Thrush, Pine Grosbeak
Summer breeders (17)
White-throated Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Bohemian Waxwing
Nesting season it supports in British Columbia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
- Gray Catbird — June–July
- Cedar Waxwing — July–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — June–July
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in British Columbia
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to British Columbia?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, Smooth sumac supports 28 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in British Columbia?
28 of those birds nest in British Columbia: House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.