Monster Rhus typhina

Loxley

I think the Rhus in the middle of the picture might be a 'champion' tree. If it is as high as those houses, which I reckon are at least 6.5m / 21ft, it must exceed the record of 18.92 ft in the US database - Staghorn Sumac - MT - American Forests

Has anyone seen any larger specimens?

pansyface

Very sadly, I can’t see either of your trees. 😕

Loxley

Do you mean the picture hasn't loaded? 

B3

No pic

Loxley

pansyface

I’ve never seen one that large, no.

It must be very happy where it is. 😊

Dave Humby

Heaven forbid it doesn't die, or have a branch break or get pruned....

Loxley

Dave Humby said:

Heaven forbid it doesn't die, or have a branch break or get pruned....

It's already making a large patch of suckers encroaching on the park, you can just about see them in front of the fence.

philippasmith2

If your estimate of 21 ft is correct then yes I have seen Sumach reach a similar size.  Not in a garden but planted as a central "divider" along a dual carriageway in SW France.
As most of us unlucky enough to have had them in a garden, the slightest damage or attempts to prune result in myriad suckers in all directions.
Beautiful trees but only in the right place

Silver surfer

Book....Champion trees of Britain and Ireland. Published 2011.
Have Rhus typhina  listed at 6, Mayfields. Shefford.Bedfordshire as the champion.
Maybe long gone?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/6+Mayfields,+Shefford+SG17+5AU/@52.0391456,-0.3298551,53m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4877cb23d716df5d:0x5bdcaf7cc63f0750!8m2!3d52.0390727!4d-0.3295459