Smooth sumac for birds in Mississippi
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Mississippi, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Mississippi
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7b–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Mississippi birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 20
Growing conditions in Mississippi
Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.
Long, hot, humid summers.
Mississippi birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling
Summer breeders (10)
Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (7)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Mild winters with rare hard freezes.
Nesting season it supports in Mississippi
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
- Northern Mockingbird — February–August
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Mississippi
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Mississippi?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Mississippi. Mississippi spans USDA 7b–9a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, Smooth sumac supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Mississippi?
20 of those birds nest in Mississippi: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), American Robin (March–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Mississippi?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in Mississippi during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Mississippi
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.