Knowledgebase
Is this poison sumac? #778287
Asked November 23, 2021, 2:51 PM EST
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
These trees are probably too tall to likely be Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). We would need to see several additional structural details to determine a likely ID; preferably in color. Characteristics of twigs (like leaf scar and dormant bud shape) and foliage (leaf type, shape, arrangement on the stem) are key in plant identification. A color close-up of the fruit (or flowers if it had been blooming) is also necessary to narrow-down candidates. In the case of this species, black sap (from a fresh cut, not necessarily any that's already oozing from the bark) might be characteristic.
Our best guess is that this is a species of sumac (Rhus). Despite the shared name, Poison Sumac is not a true sumac, though they are in the same plant family (cashew family).
You can use the images and information on these pages to help make an identification:
Poison Sumac gallery
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1419
Tree ID guide and page for Poison Sumac
https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/idit.htm
https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=581
Miri