Three-leaf sumac
Rhus trilobata
Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 8 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Bombproof native. Brilliant fall color. 'Autumn Amber' is a low-growing Plant Select form.
Colorado nativelow water4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 8 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Rhus trilobata" by briweldon is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: no rights reserved
- Photo 3: "Skunkbush (Rhus trilobata)" by PetrifiedForestNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/.
- Photo 4: "Skunkbush (Rhus trilobata) in Autumn" by PetrifiedForestNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/.
- Photo 5: "Skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata) on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge" by USFWS Mountain Prairie is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 6: Stan Shebs
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, sandy, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips, Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Fast
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, shortgrass prairie
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyThree-leaf sumac, root sucker spread, slower than R. glabra
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Planting & establishment
Tough, minimal water needed after first summer. Suckering form spreads slowly.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Three-leaf sumac good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Three-leaf sumac is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Three-leaf sumac?
- The main things to know: Three-leaf sumac, root sucker spread, slower than R. glabra It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Three-leaf sumac get?
- It matures to about 4 to 6 ft tall and 4 to 8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Three-leaf sumac?
- Space Three-leaf sumac about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Three-leaf sumac hardy on the Front Range?
- Three-leaf sumac is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Three-leaf sumac need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Three-leaf sumac grow?
- Three-leaf sumac is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Three-leaf sumac turn in fall?
- Three-leaf sumac turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Three-leaf sumac native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Three-leaf sumac deer-resistant?
- Three-leaf sumac is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Three-leaf sumac a good firewise plant near the house?
- Three-leaf sumac is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Three-leaf sumac a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Three-leaf sumac is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Is Three-leaf sumac prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Three-leaf sumac has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Find Three-leaf sumac near you
See also
- Drought-tolerant shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Colorado native shrubs for the Front Range
- Deer-resistant plants and shrubs for Colorado's Front Range
- Fast-growing screening shrubs for the Colorado Front Range
- Native plants of Colorado for Front Range yards
- Xeriscape plants for Colorado
- Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
- Hail-tolerant trees and shrubs for the Front Range
