Allotments 4 All

Hi,
 
  Could anyone please confirm if this is a Stag's Horn Sumac (Rhus Typhina)? I found that variety in a book but the picture is small and looks slightly different from the ones in the links. Also, while I'm at it, can anyone recommend a good tree identification book, preferably small enough to go in a bag or pocket? Many thanks.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_rih0ykyhU0s/RyDIaXnkSAI/AAAAAAAAAAk/XpmWxLY_Sqo/s1600-h/October+2007+063+smaller.jpg

http://bp0.blogger.com/_rih0ykyhU0s/RyDIennkSBI/AAAAAAAAAAs/j-gon8SGjI4/s1600-h/October+2007+066+smaller.jpg

I think it is, I did a google search and it looks very similar, although the photograph I took doesn't show much of a 'trunk', whereas pictures on line show it to look more like a tree.

Yes it is.  Some do grow like this - short and shrubby and suckering with gay abandon.   Some get taller and grow proper trunks but I suspect this happpens best when suckers are ruthlessy hacked.

Also check out Chinese Ceder. Are the leaves toothed along the edge?

Stags horn are notorious for suckering, they will start off fine as a small tree, but any damage to roots will encourage this suckering habit.

Lilacs do the same......

It definatly looks like you have a stags horn sumach there ;)

That's interesting about the way the trunk grows, thanks for the replies, I'm quite pleased that I actually managed to identify a tree correctly without too much trouble!  :)

They were making rosehip and sumac sorbet on Radio 4 earlier, I missed most of it though, as i was hopping in and out of the van making deliveries!

Really? I wonder what part of the tree is edible. I don't suppose you remember the programme or what time roughly you heard it? I might be able to find it repeated on the BBC Radio 4 website. Thanks.  :)