More fabulous foliage - sumac

The tree color is just about done, and if we get the predicted snow, the fall color will really be finished.  At this point some shrubs remain colorful, hamamelids: witch hazels, fothergillas, parrotias. Another colorful group are sumacs, largely unruly shrubs, not suitable for most lawns or gardens.   This is a cultivar of Rhus typhina, a staghorn sumac.  It turns a wonderful orange color, but that doesn't compensate for its really problem, which is sending up new shoots along roots.  If left alone it will form large clones, some of which can be seen along interstate highways in our area.  Ours is fighting with bottle brush buckeyes for space and the greater shade tolerance of the latter seems to be the deciding factor.  But hey it is colorful.  

Creepy Fall Color

Here's some fall color TPP spotted on his walk home today.  Fall color around here is just about at its peak and the weather is doing its best to make the display short-lived.  This display caught my eye and then came the recognition.  In general sumacs do have great fall color displays, but you seldom think about this species has having great color, but here you are, Rhus toxicodendron has great fall color even if it gives you the creepy crawlies.  OK kids, go on out and collect some nicely colored leaves.  Now if you really know your stuff about plant interactions, you'll tell me what tree this vine is growing on.  For some reason these two species always have gotten along.