Introducing Sumac: Our Preferred Tanning Agent

Our preferred tannin utilizes leaves sustainably harvested from sumac bushes which are brewed into a strong tea full of tannins. Sumac tannin is known for producing soft and light-colored leather and imparting minimal color to the wool. But what we really love about Sumac is how it can fit into land stewardship.

Sumac tanned sheepskin (left) beside mimosa tanned sheepskin (right)

The Top 3 Reasons We Prefer Sumac as a Tanning Agent

—Sumac tannins come from the leaves, not the wood (like most other veg/bark tans) so the bushes can keep growing, providing habitat and continuing to sequester carbon.

— Our current source of sumac tannin is Sicilian sumac (Rhus coriaria), however several types of sumac are native to southeast Michigan which also have high quality tannins, such as winged sumac (Rhus copallinum). Our vision is to partner with folks in the midwest to grow and harvest enough sumac to supply a tanning renaissance. On our own land, and land we lease, we are working to incorporate sumac into our woodland edges and hedge rows as they provide valuable habitats for birds, rodents and insects.

— Sumac contains tannins which can more readily be broken down by biological activity in the soil than most other common tanning agents. Chestnut, our tannin of choice for leather is similar. This means the wastewater from our tanning process is safer for the environment than pretty much any method we know of. In fact, with a little love it could even provide some nutrition to our pastures.