I need a tree identified...

[Rockwall Tim]

All over Vermont, along roadsides, we saw small trees with red leaves that resembled red peppers. These trees were rarely taller than 6 feet. But those leaves were fiery red and we Texans were clueless as to their identity.

[ctyanky]

Could it be sumac???? They are all over and turn a fiery red, fiery orange and a mixture of both.......

[Rockwall Tim]

That's it!! Thanks!

[ctyanky]

You're welcome. I was out in the NW corner of my state touring today and it was all over the roadsides and the most brilliant colors were emerging. It's almost blinding!!!!! I got a lot of photos today of sumac and I think it also shows striated varieties and also a pumpkin orange that is different from the radiant orange depending on soil and weather conditions. It is a beautiful plant in autumn. Glad I could help. It's just that I saw a ton of it today myself!

[Rockwall Tim]

I even retrieved some of its seeds so my sister-in-law could plant some in her yard here in Texas.

[ctyanky]

hmmmmmmmmmm, hope we are talking about the same plant! I don't recall seeds. Do you have a photo??? Also, beware of poison sumac, it is like poison ivy but worse!

[Rockwall Tim]

Well, there was a grouping of reddish/purple fuzzy seeds, each about the size of a pea. Don't think it was the poisonous variety because I handled it, gave it to my SIL, and neither us has anything breaking out. I'll try to hunt down a pic.

[Rockwall Tim]

This is definitely what we saw...and this is definitely sumac.

http://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/photo ... 279_th.jpg

[ctyanky]

Yes, that's definately sumac. I went to sleep last night thinking it might have been Mountain Ash tree as that has seeds and is really beautiful. When sumac is in clumps of varieties settled along the road, it is striking. I always include that in my photos. Saw rows and rows of them up in Old Deerfield, MA a couple of years ago and couldn't believe the colors and striations!

[pwt54]

That is a Staghorn Sumac. I don't know if it will grow in Texas.

[Rockwall Tim]

Yes, it certainly isn't native to our state...it takes a special breed to withstand the misery inflicted by Texas heat. Supposed to be 90 today, but a major cold front blasts through Monday night, and it will be welcome.