African Sumac in Las Vegas: Pollen Rules, Roots and Trimming

African sumac is one of the most common shade trees in older Las Vegas neighborhoods, and one of the most asked-about. People want to know whether it's banned, whether it's behind their spring allergies, and what to do about the roots and seedlings that keep popping up. Here is what the official rules say, checked against the source documents in November 2026.

What Clark County's pollen ban actually covers

Section 44 of the Clark County Air Quality Regulations was first adopted on January 24, 1991, and last amended on August 3, 2021. It says the County found that pollen from fruitless mulberry and European olive trees adds to high spring pollen levels. Since April 1, 1991, no one may plant, sell, offer to sell or authorize the planting of those two trees anywhere in Clark County.

There is one exception: growers can get a certificate of exemption for low-pollen cultivars that release less than 15% of the pollen of a mature standard tree. That is why you may see fruitless olive varieties such as ‘Swan Hill’ and ‘Wilsonii’ on the regional plant list.

The regional plant list's “Prohibited Plants” section names three plants: fountain grass, fruitless mulberry and fruiting olive. African sumac is not one of them. If you already have one, you can keep it, and nurseries are not barred from selling it.

Does African sumac cause allergies?

It can. African sumac trees are either male or female. An Arizona State University plant profile notes that some people find the tree allergenic because male trees release large amounts of pollen during desert winters. So if your symptoms peak in winter rather than spring, a male sumac nearby is worth considering. That said, the County's pollen rule does not cover it.

Roots, seedlings and suckers

University sources in Arizona and Oregon describe African sumac the same way: it produces abundant seeds that sprout easily, it spreads by root suckers, and its extensive root system competes with other plants for water. In a Las Vegas yard that usually shows up as:

• Seedlings in gravel, planters and along block walls.
• Suckers coming up from roots, sometimes several feet from the trunk.
• Constant leaf drop. It is evergreen but sheds leaves all year, so pools and gravel collect debris.
• Nearby plants struggling because the sumac's roots take the water first.

How to trim an African sumac

A mature sumac grows a dense, weeping evergreen canopy that catches a lot of wind. Good trimming:

• Thins the canopy so wind passes through, instead of shearing the outside into a ball.
• Removes dead wood and low, drooping branches over walkways and driveways.
• Cuts suckers and seedlings at the source while they are small.
• Avoids topping, which leads to a mass of weak new shoots.

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When removal makes sense

Keeping a healthy sumac is often the right call; it gives dense shade with little care. Removal is worth considering when:

• Roots are lifting pavers, a pool deck or a walkway.
• The tree sits close to a block wall or foundation and keeps growing.
• Someone in the house reacts badly in winter and the tree is male.
• Large limbs keep breaking in storms, or the tree is in decline.

When a sumac comes out, grind the stump and watch for suckers from the remaining roots for a season. Our tree removal service handles the tree and the cleanup, and stump grinding takes care of the base. We work in older neighborhoods across the valley, including Green Valley and the rest of Henderson. Looking for a replacement? See our guide to the best trees for Las Vegas.

Sources

• Clark County Air Quality Regulations, Section 44 (amended Aug. 3, 2021)
• Southern Nevada Regional Plant List, June 2026 (City of Las Vegas)
• Arizona State University plant profile: Searsia lancea (African sumac)
• University of Arizona, Arizona Invasive Plants: African sumac
• Oregon State University Landscape Plants: Rhus lancea