Vinegar trees are considered both a curse and a blessing. Their fall colors are stunning, but they quickly become a nuisance. To prevent this from happening, you should pay attention to various aspects when planting.
The deer butt sumac likes it best in the sun
location claims
Vinegar trees grow magnificently in sunny places and also thrive in semi-shade. A sandy soil with high permeability is ideal to prevent waterlogging. The nutrient content plays a subordinate role. Pay attention to the pH value, because the shrub does not tolerate very calcareous soil. The same conditions apply to container plantings.
root barrier
The shrubs develop an extensive root system that spreads shallowly in the upper soil layers. Since the roots tend to sprout, especially when cutting the bush, uncontrolled growth often occurs. To prevent spread, incorporate a root barrier into the soil when planting. Pond liners are unsuitable because the strong roots drill holes in the material and grow through them.
Sink a bottomless stone pot or bottomless rain barrel in the planting hole. The root barriers should give the shrub enough space so that it can spread well in the first few years. A diameter of two meters is ideal. It is inevitable that vinegar trees will wither away over time due to lack of space. In this case, you can cut cuttings and rejuvenate the bush.
How to grow young plants:
- Cut off 15 centimeter long shoots at an angle
- Fill the planter with a mixture of sand, soil and coconut fibers
- Stick the cutting halfway into the substrate
maintenance
Vinegar trees do not require any complex care measures. In a suitable location, they are grateful for a watering during prolonged drought. When cultivating in a bucket, you should make sure that the soil is kept constantly moist.
You do not need to provide the shrub with special fertilizers. If growth stagnates and the tree withers, you can support the vinegar tree with compost. Spread the compost on the tree disc and do not work it into the soil. There is a risk that you will damage the roots and drive them out of the wounds in an uncontrolled manner. Older trees should be pruned regularly. Cut off bare branches and watch out for root suckers.