Smooth sumac for birds in Missouri
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Missouri, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Missouri
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Missouri birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 23
Growing conditions in Missouri
Humid continental, from the Ozark Plateau in the south to prairie and river floodplains in the north.
Hot, humid summers.
Missouri 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, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (13)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (6)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Cold winters with variable snow; ice storms can shut down natural food for days.
Nesting season it supports in Missouri
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 — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak — May–July
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Missouri
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.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Missouri?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Missouri. Missouri spans USDA 5b–7b.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Missouri?
In Missouri, Smooth sumac supports 29 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Missouri?
23 of those birds nest in Missouri: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Missouri?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Missouri during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Missouri
- 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.