The Smoke Tree

Two smoke tree species are commonly grown in the United States. The southeastern native American smoke tree, Cotinus obovatus and the European smoke tree, Cotinus coggygria, are both sun-loving petite ornamental trees maturing to a mature petite height of only 10-15 feet. They are hardy in zones 5-8.

Four-Season Appeal

There are many appealing features of the smoke tree. The blue-green foliage is aromatic when crushed. Purple-leaved varieties are available in the European smoke tree. The blossoms of the tree are tiny, dioecious yellow-green flowers. The plant gets its common name and fame from the 6-12 inch long panicles of spent flowers that appear like pink or mauve puffs of hazy smoke and billowy clouds in late spring and early summer.

Many consider the American smoke tree’s vivid fall leaf colors to be the showiest of any native tree with a series of yellow, orange, red and purple phases. In fall an oval brown fruit appears as a drupe with a single seed.

The bark of the smoke tree is the central focal point in winter.

The wood of the smoke tree is yellow in color. The plant is too small to yield a profitable lumber but at one time the wood was used to make fence posts, walking sticks and a natural yellow dye.

Landscape Use

Landscapers and homeowners use the deciduous ornamental in borders and mass plantings and as a spectacular solo accent tree. Since the tree adapts to restricted soil spaces, high-density developers plant the smoke tree at apartment complexes and townhomes. Municipalities have found the tough tree useful in parking lot islands, for buffer strips around parking lots, and as a sidewalk tree in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil and drought are common problems.

The extremely hardy tree adapts to any soil type and pH. The smoke tree is drought tolerant, deer resistant, moderately salt tolerant and requires very little care once it is established. A side dress of compost in fall is recommended. Pruning is rarely needed except to remove dead, diseased or broken limbs.

Pest and disease problems are minimal. Verticillium wilt can be a problem. Purple-leaf varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew.

Propagating the Smoke Tree

The smoke tree can be propagated by seed but the surest way to acquire new plants is by taking softwood stem cuttings in spring.

The tough, adaptable, and beautiful smoke tree could be used more in our home and urban landscapes.