Anacardiaceae
American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus)
Cotinus obovatus
A tough, low-maintenance native tree for a sunny, well-drained spot. Water regularly only while it establishes, then let it thrive on neglect: avoid rich soil, overwatering and heavy feeding.
Every 14 days
Bright indirect
° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is American smoketree?
American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is a easy-care plant from the Anacardiaceae family. Cotinus obovatus is a rare deciduous small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub in the cashew family, native to limestone glades, rocky bluffs and hillsides of the southern United States, from Kentucky and Tennessee to Alabama, the Ozarks of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, and the Edwards Plateau of T...
American smoketree grows up to 9.0m, spread of 900cm, watering every 14 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, American smoketree tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, American smoketree is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for American smoketree?
TLDR: American smoketree needs Bright indirect, watering every 14 days, and temperatures between 15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water American smoketree?
Keep the soil fairly moist the first year after planting, watering about every two weeks in dry weather. Once established it is drought tolerant and should not be overwatered; avoid low spots where soil stays wet.
How Much Light Does American smoketree Need?
Plant in full sun for the best smoke and autumn color; it tolerates partial shade but grows lopsided toward the light.
What Is the Best Soil for American smoketree?
Prefers rocky, well-drained, lean soil, ideally on limestone; tolerates sand, loam, clay and shallow rocky soil. Rich soil produces weak growth.
What Pot Should You Use for American smoketree?
Best planted in the ground; for a young tree, a large, deep container with drainage holes and a gritty, lean mix.
What Is American smoketree and Where Does It Come From?
Cotinus obovatus is a rare deciduous small tree or multi-stemmed large shrub in the cashew family, native to limestone glades, rocky bluffs and hillsides of the southern United States, from Kentucky and Tennessee to Alabama, the Ozarks of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, and the Edwards Plateau of Texas. It grows slowly to 6-9 m with a rounded crown. In spring the tiny yellowish flowers sit in loose panicles 15-25 cm long whose long pink to purple hairs create a cloud of smoke, most showy on male trees. Blue-green, egg-shaped leaves turn brilliant yellow, orange, red and purple in autumn, and the scaly gray-brown bark adds winter interest.
How to Propagate American smoketree?
Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Cuttings are the way to reproduce a particular tree or cultivar; avoid letting the mix stay soggy.
- 1 Take 10-15 cm cuttings from new growth in early to mid summer
- 2 Remove the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone
- 3 Insert in a moist, well-draining cutting mix
- 4 Keep humid and in bright indirect light until roots form
Materials needed:
Seed sowing
Few seeds are produced and many are empty, so collect plenty and pretreat them to speed germination.
- 1 Clip whole fruiting panicles before the wind scatters the seed
- 2 Sow immediately after collection, or give warm moist stratification followed by 60-80 days of cold stratification
- 3 Sow in a well-drained seed mix and keep outdoors or in a cold frame
- 4 Be patient: germination can take until the second spring
Materials needed:
Layering
Simple and reliable for multi-stemmed shrubs with low branches.
- 1 Bend a low, flexible branch down to the ground
- 2 Wound the underside where it touches the soil and pin it down
- 3 Cover with soil and keep it moist
- 4 Sever and transplant once it has rooted
Materials needed:
How Big Does American smoketree Grow?
TLDR: American smoketree can reach up to 9.0m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
9.0m
Spread
9.0m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect American smoketree?
TLDR: American smoketree is susceptible to 3 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Verticillium Wilt
Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease caused primarily by the fungi Verticillium dahliae and V. albo-atrum. These pathogens infect plant roots and grow within the vascular tissues, blocking water and nutrient transport, resulting in wilting and eventual plant death. The disease affects over 350 plant species including vegetables, fruits, ornamental flowers, and trees. The fungi can survive in soil for more than 10 years as resistant structures called microsclerotia.
Fun Facts
Its bright yellow heartwood was used to make dye during the American Civil War
It has some of the best autumn color of any native American tree
Male and female flowers grow on separate trees, and male trees give the showiest smoke
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called smoketree?
How big does American smoketree get?
How much water does American smoketree need?
What pests and diseases affect it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
