Smooth sumac for birds in Utah
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Utah, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Utah
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Utah birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Utah
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Hot, dry summers.
Utah birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (15)
House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Cactus Wren, Phainopepla, Band-tailed Pigeon, Cactus Wren
Summer breeders (13)
Gray Catbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Hermit Thrush, Pine Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (1)
Cold winters with valley inversions; mountain birds descend to backyards.
Nesting season it supports in Utah
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 — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Northern Mockingbird — March–August
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
- Eastern Kingbird — May–July
- European Starling — April–June
- Canada Jay — March–April
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Utah
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Utah?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Utah. Utah spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Utah?
In Utah, Smooth sumac supports 29 backyard birds, including House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Utah?
28 of those birds nest in Utah: House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June), Gray Catbird (May–July).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Utah?
Winter visitors Bohemian Waxwing use it in Utah during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.