Smooth sumac for birds in Washington
Red fruit heads hang on through winter. Native to Washington, where it feeds or shelters 26 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Rhus glabra
- Native status
- Native in Washington
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Washington birds supported
- 26
- Nesting birds among them
- 24
Growing conditions in Washington
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
Washington birds that use Smooth sumac
Year-round residents (14)
House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, European Starling, Canada Jay, Spotted Towhee, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Band-tailed Pigeon
Summer breeders (10)
Gray Catbird, Eastern Kingbird, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Gray Catbird, Western Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter visitors (2)
Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Nesting season it supports in Washington
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
- Purple Finch — May–July
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Gray Catbird — May–July
- Cedar Waxwing — June–August
- Yellow-rumped Warbler — May–July
- Eastern Kingbird — May–July
- European Starling — April–June
Native plants to pair with Smooth sumac in Washington
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Frequently asked
Is Smooth sumac native to Washington?
Yes. Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is recorded as native in Washington. Washington spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Smooth sumac attract in Washington?
In Washington, Smooth sumac supports 26 backyard birds, including House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Gray Catbird.
Does Smooth sumac help nesting birds in Washington?
24 of those birds nest in Washington: House Finch (April–August), Purple Finch (May–July), American Robin (April–July), Northern Flicker (April–June).
Which winter birds use Smooth sumac in Washington?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Washington during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- 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.