Tiger Eyes Sumac

[GregTJ]

Earlier this year I picked up a Tiger Eyes sumac, did a chop, let it grow and just potted it in a bonsai pot (I know, I know...)

What do you guys think? I think I want to chop the main trunk lower so there are two slightly differentiated canopies, but i'm afraid it wont backbud if I cut it lower. There isn't much opportunity for wiring and fine details with these because of the large compound leafies.

I included a picture with a red line where I want to chop again in the future...

 

[Stickroot]

Earlier this year I picked up a Tiger Eyes sumac, did a chop, let it grow and just potted it in a bonsai pot (I know, I know...)

What do you guys think? I think I want to chop the main trunk lower so there are two slightly differentiated canopies, but i'm afraid it wont backbud if I cut it lower. There isn't much opportunity for wiring and fine details with these because of the large compound leafies.

I included a picture with a red line where I want to chop again in the future...

That will be a good tree, I have lots of them in training, one 8 year old, two 5 year old, one 3 year old and probly 20 layers and cuttings, the best way to kill them is water, they like dry.

 

[GregTJ]

They grow like weeds here.. I have two different types on my property, there are these really tall tree like ones and smaller shrubby ones. I liked the color of the Tiger Eyes one that's why I bought it instead of just digging one You can airlayer these? that's awesome!

 

[Stickroot]

They grow like weeds here.. I have two different types on my property, there are these really tall tree like ones and smaller shrubby ones. I liked the color of the Tiger Eyes one that's why I bought it instead of just digging one You can airlayer these? that's awesome!

I have bought mine from Monrovia.
I have Sumac but not this kind of Jap.

 

[William N. Valavanis]

I've been working with this Tiger Eye Sumac for a few years. Enjoy its beauty!

 

[Stickroot]

I've been working with this Tiger Eye Sumac for a few years. Enjoy its beauty!

Very nice!
Excellent presentation.

 

[MACH5]

I bought a Tiger Eyes myself a few days ago after seeing it on Bill's blog. Should be here in a few more days. I saw in Japan many sumac plantings used as accents. They are lovely!

 

[sorce]

I saw one in a landscape today that was awesome!

The bark looked real nice.

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

Very nice tree William!
I Just picked up this tiger eye sumac - liked the trunk- and was happy to see this thread where I may learn a bit about this species.

Being that it’s august I was wondering how these guys take a little pruning mid summer.
Any tips would b very appreciated!

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Don’t believe what they say about them not suckering. I planted one in the yard two years ago. Then my wife wanted it moved to another location so I dug it up and moved it. However in the process I left a bunch of roots in the ground. Now I have a patch of them that came up from those roots as well as a couple more where I moved the first one to. I also have another one that popped up about 20 feet away plus I gave one away to a neighbor. So be careful if you decode to put one in the ground for a few years to fatten up.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Thanks for your advice.
I think I will leave it in a pot since they seem to be a little invasive. it would be nice to chop this this fall and see what happens next year!

 

[Forsoothe!]

They are very suitable as grove in the yard. Plant them where you want one and they will sucker here and there. That's good because they are short lived.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Thanks for the input. I plan on keeping this thing in a pot and possibly chopping down this fall

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I have the nominal form, Rhus typhina - staghorn sumac, the normal form. Right now in 3 and 5 gallon nursery containers. It takes time to heal wounds from severe trunk pruning. ''Chopped trunks'' can look ugly. They are at their best if you can get smooth graceful trunks that branch without out stubs from severe pruning.

They all sucker readily. The root system is long lived, you can view the trunks as more or less temporary. Try removing just the terminal bud from a new trunk at the level you want your first branch. This will give you branching without ''stubs'' being left behind. More natural branch pattern.

Remember sumac is basically almost like a palm tree - one or two branches is the most you can expect out of a trunk.

Their autumn leaf color is glorious, the red fruit cluster is beautiful, so they are well worth growing.

And they are pretty tolerant of various soils, though naturally they prefer acidic soils. The presence of both staghorn sumac and sassafras trees are a good indication the soil is acidic enough to grow blueberries. Little factoid for ya.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

The really good thing about the Tiger Eyes is they are a dwarf form so they only max out at 5-6’ tall and across instead of 20’! I saw my first one in September 2015 at the Denver botanical gardens and the fall color can be amazing.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Thanks for the info Leo/Cofga. I’ll definitely take your advice in making a plan for this!

 

[Yankadori]

Has anyone have any experience on pruning them, I am wondering about trying to keep the shape somewhat small but not too sure on where or how to prune.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Has anyone have any experience on pruning them, I am wondering about trying to keep the shape somewhat small but not too sure on where or how to prune.

Prune back to latent buds or foliage site late winter, early spring.