Smooth sumac for birds in Pennsylvania
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Pennsylvania, where it feeds or shelters 30 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Pennsylvania
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5a–7b
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Pennsylvania birds supported
- 30
- Nesting birds among them
- 26
Growing conditions in Pennsylvania
Humid continental; cold, snowy winters in the north and mountains, milder in the southeast.
Warm summers; bluebirds typically raise two broods.
Pennsylvania birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (12)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (14)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (4)
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing
Snow cover makes suet and heated water valuable; both chickadee species meet in a narrow hybrid zone across the south of the state.
Nesting season it supports in Pennsylvania
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
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- White-throated Sparrow — May–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania spans USDA 5a–7b.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, Smooth sumac supports 30 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Pennsylvania?
26 of those birds nest in Pennsylvania: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Pennsylvania?
Winter visitors Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Pennsylvania during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Pennsylvania
- 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.