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Tree Guide

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SmoketreeCotinus coggygria

  • Smoketree - Cotinus coggygria
A multi-stemmed small tree that turns a smoky pink color from June through August. Leaves, too, are showy, turning from medium blue-green to yellow-red-purple in the fall. Good choice for a shrub border or other grouping, adaptable to many soils. Grows to 10' to 15', 12' spread. (zones 5-8)
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Hardiness Zones

The smoketree can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 5–8. View Map

Tree Type

Mature Size

The smoketree grows to a height of 10–15' and a spread of around 12' at maturity.

Growth Speed Medium Growth Rate

This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The smoketree adapts well to many soils—growing in acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. It has some drought tolerance and can withstand wet conditions.

Attributes

This tree:
  • Produces flowers from June to September that are pink to yellow-pink and are not as notable as the hairs, which turn several shades of smoke-pink (particularly in late summer).
  • Features showy, blue-green leaves that range from 1¼–4" long, alternate on the branches and smell like orange peel when crushed.
  • Provides great fall color, with leaves turning yellow, red and purple in the fall.
  • Offers amazing visual interest in landscaping.
  • Yields clusters of small, dry, kidney-shaped fruit approximately 1/16" in diameter.
  • Grows in a rounded shape.

Wildlife Value

The leaves of the smoketree are browsed by deer and other big game.

History/Lore

The smoketree is a native of Eurasia and has long been a favorite shrub or small tree for garden plantings, along property lines and along the borders of landscaped areas. It was introduced into America as early as 1656 and was commonly available in nurseries by 1790. It is a species with many names including smokebush, European smoketree, cloud tree, wig tree, mist tree and Jupiter's beard.