Considered a small tree or a large shrub. Rounded bluish to dark green leaves that turn a spectacular mix of yellow,orange and amber to red and burgundy in fall. Huge pale green clusters of flowerheads with silken hairs, up to 12″ across, form the appearance of “smoke” in late spring. Bark is an attractive gray-brown and scaly when mature. Our native Smoketree is much better and easier to grow than its Asian cousins that are more often seen in the trade.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
American Smoketree
Cotinus obovatus
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Glade
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color:
Fall Color: Purple, Red
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data


Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate

Nature Attracting

Wildlife Benefit
Cover, Nesting

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
8 to
30
feet
Spread:
12 to
20
feet
Size
Height: 8 to
30
feet
Spread: 12 to
20
feet
Size
Height: 8 to
30
feet
Spread: 12 to
20
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Yellow to orange dye can be extracted from inner bark.Use in borders or groupings.Excellent fall color!
Establishment and Care Instructions
Prefers a sunny, well drained site, tolerant of limestone soils. May require pruning to attain tree form.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.