IFAS Extension
Urban Horticulture
Abstract
American Smoketree is most often seen as a large shrub 15 to 20 feet tall when grown in cultivation but can slowly become a 20 to 30-foot-tall, rounded tree with time, or in the wild. The bark on older specimens flakes off at the base of the trunk showing a dark grey to black exfoliating character. Multiple trunks eventually become twisted and gnarled. The 7 to 12-inch, fairly sparse, fuzzy panicles of springtime flowers give the plant an unusual, somewhat smoky effect but American Smoketree is most outstanding for its beautiful foliage.
About this Publication
This document is ENH367, one of a series of the UF/IFAS Department of Environmental Horticulture. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed February 2014. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
How to Cite
Gilman, E., & Watson, D. (2003). Cotinus obovatus: American Smoketree. EDIS, 2003(10). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-st208-1993
Authors
Edward F. Gilman
professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Horticulture
Dennis G. Watson
former associate professor, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL
Contacts
Michael Andreu
Specialist
University of Florida
professor, forest systems, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences