There is just one caveat with these gorgeous trees – you need to give them drainage, as they struggle with chronically wet spots. Find out how easy and enjoyable it is to grow your own enigmatic and unforgettable Americansmoketree. The sap from AmericanSmoketree has a strong odor. The name smoketree comes from the airy smoky pink to pink-purple hairs on the spent flower clusters that give the tree a hazy, smoke-like puffy appearance. The summer "smoke" display makes this a striking accent plant. Red fall leaves on anAmericanSmoketree, photograph under CC license by Wendy Cutler. Many colors can occur on a one single tree. Specimens grown in sunny locations usually have the best color. Despite all the positives, the Americansmoketree comes with a caveat ... It needs pruning to keep it shrub-sized. Without it, it will grow rather more like the tree — albeit one on the smaller side — its common moniker suggests. Thankfully, that's an easier task than it sounds. Americansmoketree (Cotinus obovatus), not to be confused with the European smoketree, grows in disjointed populations in the east-central part of the United States with its Texas population in the Hill Country area. Also known as: American smokewood. The AmericanSmoketree is a small, deciduous tree with decorative bark and fall foliage. Its large leaves are pink during the summer and slowly become green or blue as the season changes. 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. Learn how to Grow the AmericanSmoketree. A fantastic Landscaping plant that brings both Summer (Pink) and Autumn (Amazing Scarlet Red Fall Foliage) Color. Historically, Native Americans used the Americansmoketree for medicinal purposes. Its leaves and bark were believed to have healing properties, addressing various ailments. In contemporary gardening, smoketrees are valued for their ornamental appeal. Although smoketrees are drought tolerant, they do need to be watered well after planting until they are well established.The AmericanSmoketree will grow outward to be moderately wide. When planting next to a patio or sidewalk, plan accordingly. AmericanSmoketree offers striking smoky plumes and fall color.AmericanSmoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is a small flowering tree that can grow 20′ to 30′ tall and prefers medium, well-drained soil. This tree has many ornamental attributes. - AmericanSmoketree is a magnificent multi-stemmed shrub or tree with a colorful fall foliage. It can turn into brilliant shades of orange, red, purple and yellow. AmericanSmokeTree has the most potential when planted as a single stemmed tree. It could be planted under powerlines, should do well in parking islands, and in raised containers. As a multi-stemmed shrub it could provide very ornamental massing. Common Name: Americansmoketree.Noteworthy Characteristics. Cotinus obovatus , commonly called Americansmoketree, is a small, deciduous, rounded, Missouri native tree or large, upright shrub typically growing 20-30' tall and occurring on limestone glades, rocky limestone...