1. Deciduous shrubby tree of eastern North America with compound leaves that turn brilliant red in fall and dense panicles of greenish yellow flowers followed by crimson acidic berries
   "The vinegar tree's fuzzy branches resembled deer antlers";
   - staghorn sumac, velvet sumac, Virginian sumac, Rhus typhina
    
2. Common nonpoisonous shrub of eastern North America with waxy compound leaves and green paniculate flowers followed by red berries
   "vinegar tree berries stood out against the winter snow";
   - smooth sumac, scarlet sumac, Rhus glabra

Derived forms: vinegar trees

Type of: shumac [rare], sumac, sumach

Encyclopedia: Vinegar tree