Saskatchewan · Shrub

Smooth sumac for birds in Saskatchewan

Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Saskatchewan, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.

Scientific name: Rhus glabra
Native status: Native in Saskatchewan
Hardiness zones: Canada 1a–3b
What birds get from it: fruit and berries
Saskatchewan birds supported: 27
Nesting birds among them: 27

Growing conditions in Saskatchewan

Continental — prairie in the south, boreal forest in the north.

Warm, sunny summers.

Saskatchewan birds that use Smooth sumac

Nesting season it supports in Saskatchewan

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Smooth sumac:

Eastern Bluebird — May–August
Purple Finch — June–July
American Robin — May–July
White-throated Sparrow — June–July
Northern Flicker — May–June
Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
Baltimore Oriole — June–July
Rose-breasted Grosbeak — June–July
Gray Catbird — June–July
Brown Thrasher — May–July

Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Saskatchewan

Pin cherry

Prunus pensylvanica · Tree

Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana · Shrub

Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.

Red-osier dogwood

Cornus sericea · Shrub

White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.

Highbush cranberry

Viburnum trilobum · Shrub

Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.

Golden currant

Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Western serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia · Shrub

Saskatoon berries ripen in early summer.

Frequently asked

Is Smooth sumac native to Saskatchewan?

Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan spans Canada 1a–3b.

What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Saskatchewan?

In Saskatchewan, Smooth sumac supports 27 backyard birds, including Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker.

Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Saskatchewan?

27 of those birds nest in Saskatchewan: Eastern Bluebird (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July), American Robin (May–July), White-throated Sparrow (June–July).

Sources

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.