January 22 Sumac Berries

On the path out to Picnic Point is a stand of staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) that is typically a hangout for winter birds. This small shrubby tree can be identified by its big velvety twigs and buds (hence the staghorn title) and fuzzy red berries that hang on into winter. Sumacs are dynamite spreaders, shooting stems up out of their own roots to create clones that grow up in bunches. If left to do their thing, they can eventually dominate a prairie and shade out undergrowth. Some trees in this patch have no berries left at all while many appear to have almost all of them. Seems like the robins and chickadees and red-bellied woodpeckers know a ripe berry pod from an unripe one. Will there be any berries left by the spring equinox?