Constellations

The Sumac family known by the scientific name of "Anacardiaceae" is divided into two groups.  Toxicodendron, as might be guessed, means poison and includes poison ivy.  Rhus, the group including

most of the familiar bushes and trees, makes up the largest portion of the family.  Most species in this group share the feature of brilliant crimson to bright orange foliage, prompted by the cooler weather in the fall.  The type of Sumac used in "Constellations" is known as "Stag horn" because of the short brown hair covering the limbs which resembles deer antlers while in velvet.  Sumac can withstand extreme cold and heat and therefore is found in many climate zones.  Some varieties are used as  ornamental trees which may reach thirty feet in height.

Technical Information

Size:          20 " high,  34" at largest diameter

Weight:     45 lb..

Materials:  Sections of Sumac laminated over fiberglass shell, small segments of fruit and berry wood used in                  similar manner

Source:      Fort George Wright, Spokane, Washington

Finish:       Danish oil rubbed into wood, all surfaces finished with paste wax

Our first apartment in Spokane was at Fort George Wright, next to the community college campus that had just hired me.  The apartment complex had a swimming pool that was surrounded with tall stag-horn sumac bushes.  The management decided to dispose of them because they were dropping trash in the pool.  I asked if I could have some of the wood and thus started my collection of sumac wood.  Slices of the sumac limbs had distinctive growth  rings which prompted the name "Constellations".

More detail can be found on my art at my website <www.apatchablue.com>