Why sumac? Do the deer eat it? It has good color in the fall, indians used it as a natural red dye, buy thats about it. Once the sumac matures, it shades the undergrowth so nothing grows there.

Poplar, aspen, or dogwood thickets grow fast, and deer will browse on them. Highbush Cranberry thicket will provide food and cover for deer. and berries for birds, plus bloom in the late spring.