Acetic tree (or staghorn sumac) comes from North America. It grows in very harsh conditions, on dry, stony soils in the highlands. Sumac is very photophilous, tolerates prolonged droughts and cold winters. In addition, it can grow on infertile, saline soils. Experts in the field of landscape design have long appreciated the stability and unpretentiousness of this Spartan plant. And most importantly for decorating the garden - sumac has a very attractive appearance.
Acetic tree has an umbrella-shaped crown, large and dense foliage. By autumn, it acquires a variegated red-pink color. Abundantly covered with red and purple pubescence, young shoots and mature trees look original and very impressive. By the end of summer, carmine-red clusters of fruits appear on the branches. They are covered with bright red down. Such an ornament keeps on the branches all winter, up tospring. The plant is relatively short and due to numerous root offspring often has a bushy growth.
Staghorn sumac (or vinegar tree) is an unpretentious plant, it tolerates drought well and, importantly, is resistant to air pollution. Prefers very well-lit areas in the garden, but can tolerate some shade if necessary. Sumac can grow on absolutely any soil, it easily withstands even an excess of lime in the soil, increased acidity and salinity. It is best to transplant a plant to a permanent place on the site at the age of three years. Acetic sumac is much easier to take root after a spring transplant. The distance between young plants should be at least 1.5-2 meters. The root neck is deepened by 5 centimeters. After planting, the plant must be watered abundantly.
In the future, the vinegar tree requires a minimum of care. It is necessary to water only young plants only in hot, dry weather. Once a year, the tree is fed with a complex of mineral fertilizers. One square meter requires 50 grams of dry matter. In May, frozen and dry shoots are pruned. If you regularly do such decorative pruning, then the tree will be voluminous and lush. For the winter, young sumac plants mulch well. It is not recommended to plant tree seedlings in autumn, because they can freeze during the winter period. But even if this happened, in the spring the plant can recover from the buds of the middle and lower parts of the shoot.
Flowering occurs at 4-5 years of age. The life span of the sumac is short, it dies off after 18-20 years. But the remaining developed root system is renewed by shoots. Due to this, it aggressively captures the nearest space in a short time. As a rule, sumac does not get sick with anything, it has no natural pests.
This plant looks great in garden areas, it is used in the design of a hedge or as a free growing shrub. Acetic tree, which can be seen in recipe books, is used in the Caucasus and Turkey for marinating meat and as a seasoning for salad dressing.
