Tiger Eye Sumac

Golden Cutleaf Foliage
Brilliant Fall Color
Compact Specimen Shrub

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
FREE Local Delivery

Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
518-793-9623

Tiger Eye Sumac

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Tiger Eye Sumac

Tiger Eye Sumac is a compact ornamental staghorn sumac known for golden cutleaf foliage, dramatic branching, and brilliant orange-red fall color. Its bold texture and manageable size make it excellent for specimen plantings, slopes, mixed borders, naturalized edges, and high-contrast landscape designs.

Why choose Tiger Eye Sumac?

Choose Tiger Eye Sumac for standout foliage color and architectural form in a smaller, more refined sumac. New growth emerges bright chartreuse to golden yellow, then shifts through the season before turning fiery shades in autumn. Its deeply divided leaves create a tropical, fern-like texture, while the branching form adds winter interest after leaf drop. It is especially useful where gardeners want a bold focal point, erosion-control planting, or colorful native-style shrub with strong seasonal impact.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’
Common Name: Tiger Eye Sumac
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Compact, upright-spreading, suckering shrub with sculptural branching

Tiger Eye Sumac Additional Information

Tiger Eye Sumac is a distinctive cultivar of staghorn sumac, selected for its bright golden foliage and smaller landscape size compared with the straight species. The finely cut compound leaves create a soft, airy texture from spring through summer. In fall, the foliage often turns brilliant orange, scarlet, and red, giving the plant one of its most memorable seasonal displays.

This shrub is deciduous, dropping its leaves in winter and revealing a bold branching structure. Mature plants commonly reach about 6 feet tall and wide, though size may vary with site conditions and pruning. Like other sumacs, it may spread by root suckers, but this selection is often noted for a more restrained habit than many species types. Use Tiger Eye Sumac as a specimen, in sunny mixed borders, on slopes, or in naturalized areas where its color, texture, and form can be appreciated. Prune selectively in late winter or early spring to remove damaged stems or manage shape.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Tiger Eye Sumac in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Set the root ball level with the surrounding soil, backfill firmly, and water thoroughly after planting to settle the roots.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, Tiger Eye Sumac handles average landscape moisture well and appreciates deep watering during extended dry periods.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch pulled back from the base of the stems.

4. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove damaged stems, shape lightly, or control suckering growth. Avoid heavy midseason pruning if you want to preserve the natural branching form.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Tiger Eye Sumac get?
Tiger Eye Sumac typically grows about 3–6 feet tall and wide, depending on site conditions, pruning, and age. Its compact size makes it easier to place than larger staghorn sumac forms.
Does Tiger Eye Sumac have good fall color?
Yes. Tiger Eye Sumac is prized for brilliant fall foliage, often showing shades of orange, scarlet, and red after a season of bright golden-yellow foliage.
Can Tiger Eye Sumac spread?
Tiger Eye Sumac can produce root suckers over time. In maintained beds, unwanted shoots can be removed as they appear, while larger spaces can allow a more natural, colony-forming look.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Full Sun
Easy Plant

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate
Botanical Name	Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger'
Bloom Time	Late Summer, Mid Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Anacardiaceae
Flower Color	Red
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#3 Container

Map of the United States with all states outlined and filled in dark greenli

Growing Zones 4-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

Compare Similar Products

Name	Summer Wine Ninebark	Easy Elegance Kashmir Rose	Dwarf Korean Lilac	Miss Kim Lilac	Shasta Doublefile Viburnum	Little Lime Hydrangea
Rating
Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft	Medium: Up to 4 ft	Large: Up to 6 ft	Extra Large: Above 6 ft	Large: Up to 6 ft	Large: Up to 6 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate	Fast	Moderate, Slow	Moderate, Slow	Fast, Moderate	Fast, Moderate
Bloom Time	Early Summer	Early Summer	Early Summer	Late Spring, Early Summer	Late Spring, Early Summer	Mid Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually	No	Usually	Usually	Usually	No
Family	Rosaceae	Rosaceae	Oleaceae	Oleaceae	Adoxaceae	Hydrangeaceae
Flower Color	Pink	Red	Blue/Purple	Blue/Purple	White	Green, Pink
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low