[wade clark]

Sumac Identification:

Poison Sumac doesn't have the dusty reddish bloom that the others do.

That red stuff makes a nice "lemonade". Mixed with nettles in a tea it will break a fever.

Wade

[Irish]

Ok ... I called the Department of Agriculture Extension Service this morning. With a very nice gentleman's guidance I now know that my three sumacs are "Ailanthus" also called the Tree of Heaven! Isn't that a nice name for a tree.

It particular sumac is not poisonous, it is extremely invasive, it is an import - not native to America. I told him about Colin's carving sumac and wanting to know if mine was or was not poisonous and therefore carvable. He, my extention service agent, was overly delighted with the idea of carvers using non-poisonous sumac and really encouraged all of us to carve away to help rid the country roads of this nuisance ...

Susan

Off to get my pruners!!!!!

[Irish]

Here's the link ... kaweahoaks.com/html/ chinesetreeofheaven.htmlIt's also called Chinese Sumac and Stinking Sumac ... which it does!

Susan

[Ashbys]

Nice name for a tree Susan.
Identifaction for plants is extreamly important, just something everyone should be aware of. I know of one plant that is often mistaken.

Queens Anne's lace also know as wild carrots has a really nasty realtive. And if you don't know the difference you can eaisly die from it. Both grow wild both in the same area and can even be mixed in the same field. It's realitive is Hemlock and eaisly mistaken.

Ash

[AlArchie]

Ash, there is an added hazard to that "hemlock", which is actually "water hemlock". *cicutia maculata* The darn stuff looks just like wild hemp (marijuana). When I was still with the State Police I sent a lot of this stuff down to the lab for ID, and all they said was that is was not mj......they didn't know what the heck it was, but advised it was a dead riger for grass! Anybody, cruising the swamplands that decides to smoke some of that stuff should beware, might be their last trip!!!

Al.

[Ashbys]

No doubt in my mind Al,

heres a couple of references
Queens Anne Lace
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c...on/Daucuca.htm

Hemlock
http://www.iisgcp.org/EXOTICSP/Poison_Hemlock.htm

Water Hemlock
http://www.briartech.com/summer/hemlock/hemlock.htm

Hemlock is often seen growing at the roadside, and can eaisly be mistaken for Queens anne.

Ash

[Irish]

As we have seemed to highjack Colin's original posting here by talking about poisonous plants ... but not really because your carving on that sumac is truely inspiring enough to go find out about sumac ... I wanted to add a quick note.

Please, just because a plant is poisonous does not necessarily mean you have to destroy it. If possible, if it is not directly endangering you, your children or your pets you might want to let it go on and grow. Many poisonous species of native plants are also major food sources for wildlife and birds. In my particular area, the Mid-Atlantic poison ivy is a major nuicance and it feeds many wintering birds as cardinals and blue jays as well as small mammals as rabbits and mice. The berries 'cure' towards the end of winter when there is very little food left.

On our little plot we split our ground three ways - one for us and my garden, one part is the forest, and one part is wild meadow. My meadow is full of poison ivy! It's there because I let it grow. I believe it is much easier for me to put on high socks and long pants when I walk my meadow than for that cardinal to go without his late winter food.

Just a passing thought, Thanks for indulging me in a moment Colins!

Susan

[Colin_Partridge]

Susan not a problem I have to agree what sometimes is not good for us is vital to the ecological balance of nature. Dont worry about hijacking my post it is all good we all learn something. Isnt it funny though, and I have mentioned it before how posts take a complete right turn and end up 180 degrees from how the post started.
Colin

[wade clark]

Colin,
That would make them ...staring themselves in the face, wouldn't it?
Wade