Not sure how variable that might be; it certainly isn't as hairy as Rhus typhina, but equally, Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac) is hairless. Your plant has the winged leaf stem which neither of those two have. As far as I'm aware, the fruit is edible, though very sharp. Seem to remember reading somewhere that Native Americans used it a lot for food. But be cautious, it is related to Poison-ivy, and some people who are very sensitive to that can also be sensitive to other sumacs too.
No, not poisonous. Definitely edible. The young shoots, and the berries. You don't want to eat the seeds though. The berries are commonly soaked in water to make "lemonade," as the seeds contain malic acid which gives them a really tart flavor. Very good to just grab a few and suck on them like candy, then spit out when the flavor is gone. The tartness will make you salivate and not feel so thirsty, too! :)
Be careful. Some Rhus are very poisonous. This is a quote from the web site below "---Description---There are several varieties of the plant, such as Rhus typhinum (Staghorn or Velvet Sumach), the berries of which now often replace those of R. glabra and R. copallinum (Mountain or Dwarf Sumach), and they should be carefully distinguished from the poisonous species. The non-poisonous have their fruit clothed with acid, crimson hairs, and their panicles are compound, dense, and terminal; the poisonous varieties have axillary panicles, and smooth fruit. " http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sumach97.html
When you do these scout projects, do they show or give you plant? Or do they ask you to find one locally on your own?
