Plants For A Future: The leaves and bark are rich in tannin. The leaves can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant. The fruit and bark are also used. The leaves contain 20 - 35% tannin and yield a yellow dye. The finely ground leaves and stems provide the dyeing and tanning agent 'sumac'. The shoots are cut down annually, near to the root, for this purpose. A fawn colour, bordering on green, is obtained and this can be improved with the judicious use of mordants.
