26 September 10

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) pruned heavily around a grafted apple, likely too late but playing with best times and ways. Tried two different methods - top heavy shape by starting cuts low and working up and topping (or a crude version of pollarding) to chest height.

Incredibly easy to manage, fast growing, beautiful foliage, nice form, wildly adaptable and one of the true pioneer plants. It will undoubtedly be useful under syntropic(ish) management for our long-term plantings. We can prune even the thickest branches and stems with just one hand using felco 13s or a machete and the material lays flat easily. Flowers are made into a sun-tea or used for dying. Short-lived but spreads through runners rapidly and grows quickly in the early years, slowing as it establishes. Gangly in growth, shape and form - echos of an elderberry but bigger and more airy.