help with red sumac

[Charlie Tango]

I have been trying to get some red sumac to grow with some seeds I picked off of a plant.  I have planted the seeds whole, I have shelled the seeds, and have planted both seeds deep and shallow and have not had any luck.  Does any one have any knowledge on these plants that can help?
Thanks

[D Crockett]

just a suggestion but you might try putting several layers of paper towels on a tray put your seeds under them and keeping them damp I would try only a few to see if it works or not  D Crockett

[torpedoman]

some seeds have to pass thru a digestive tract to germinate huckleberry's for one

[BCB]

c. t.

Since red sumac is sometimes planted as an ornamental, you might try seed companies.  Maybe you can purchase some starts and get them going.  The will spread by rhizomes so you will get plenty once you get them going.  I am over run with them on some of my properties and I cut them down.  They grow right back up!!!  They are good food and habitat.  The deer love rubbing their antlers on them.  Good-luck...BCB

[Mikey]

BCB:  I understand whitetail like to do more than just rub their antlers on them, I have been told they reaaly like the reb berries, or whatever they are. 

I've got a bunch of them and have had bunches of them and find the easiest way to get rid of them is to find the biggest one, wrap a chain or rope around it, tie the other end to a tractor or something and go for a ride - you should be able to clear entire rows quickly, and the deer will thank you.  This I have been told.  Mikey....................

[alsaqr]

Quail an other birds like the berries on red sumac.  Every fall I take the tractor and mash down a row or two through the sumac thickets so the quail can get at the berries. 

[Mack in N.C.]

forgoet the terminoligy but like someone said some seeds have to pass through digestive tracts., also, some have to be kept under a certain degree for so many days before they will spout.......ex. chestnut has to be under a certain degree for so many days but not under 25 degrees......if buried at 1 to 2 inches usuall the ground even that shallow will not get that cold.......some seeds you can put in really hot water for so many minutes and it does the same thing.......google seeds and germination or so forth......mack

[kiddekop]

While staying at our friends' home in Pa I watched Turkeys landing in Dogwood trees for the red berries and the whitetails in the field near the house feeding on pumpkins our friend spred along the hillside.

[Land_Owner]

Seeds that require a thermal "wake up" can be kept refrigerated.  Check with your Urban Forester or Master Gardner for proper instructions per species of plant.

We used to hunt a pumpkin patch in SC.  The deer would stomp the pumpkins to break them open and then gorge themselves on the seeds and pulp.  It was amusing to shoot one later in the woods only to find it had orange staining around its muzzle.