The American Smoketree 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. It’s generally found in rocky limestone bluffs or glades, and it makes a striking accent in the garden.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Cotinus obovatus syn. C. americanus, the American smoketree, chittamwood or American smokewood, is a rare species of flowering plant in the genus Cotinus of the family Anacardiaceae, native to scattered locations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee.
The Latin specific epithet obovatus means “in the shape of an inverted egg”, and refers to the broadly oval shape of the leaves. The heartwood is a bright yellow. The species does not appear to be in danger of facing extinction in the wild.
American smoke tree is a tall shrub to small tree usually 6–16 feet tall, with slender, spreading branches and aromatic, resinous sap. It may attain a height of 33 feet.
Leaves are simple, alternate, most abundant toward the twig tips, 1½–6 inches long, 2–3½ inches wide, broadest in the middle and tapering at both ends, or obovate (egg-shaped with the narrow part at the base); tip round to blunt, base broadly wedge-shaped or rounded, margin entire or somewhat wavy; upper surface bluish green or olive green and smooth to hairy; lower surface hairy early and smooth with age, veins conspicuous; leaf stalk ¼–2 inches long, yellowish green to reddish, smooth or hairy; bruised leaves somewhat fragrant.

Bark is gray to black, roughly breaking into thin scales that are longer than broad; wood orange to yellow, sapwood creamy white, coarse-grained, soft, light.
Twigs are slender, green to reddish or purple when young, gray and smooth with age; pores small, abundant, pale.
Flowers in May, greenish yellow, borne in loose, few-flowered clusters at the end of stems, clusters 5–6 inches long, 2½–3 inches broad; flower stalks with feathery, gland-tipped hairs and purplish flowers about ⅛ inch across, petals 5; stamens 5. The “smoke” from smoke tree is often mistaken for a spray of flowers, but what you are seeing is actually the hairy, colorful stalks of the flowers after the blossoms have fallen away.
Fruits June–July, small, hard-cased drupes (a seed covered by fleshy pulp) ⅛–¼ inch long, kidney-shaped, flattened, smooth, pale brown; fruit stalk slender, conspicuously purple or brown with gland-tipped hairs.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
American smoketree prefers full sun – an area that provides at least 6 hours of full sunlight per day would really benefit the plant, especially the purple-leaved varieties, as ample sunlight makes the foliage more vibrant and encourages blooming. Although it will still grow in partially shaded areas, this will result in sparse leaves and poor flowering.
Temperature

These deciduous shrubs or trees like moderate temperature ranges and average to low humidity. They are hardy to -20 ℃, but expect the shoot tips to die-back in cold temperatures. Established plants can tolerate drought.
Watering
American smoketree thrives in its native environment with infrequent but substantial rainfall, adapting to long periods without water. This species is drought-tolerant and prefers a balance of dry spells between watering sessions. It should be watered once every three weeks, ensuring the soil has time to dry out partially. As american smoketree is more commonly grown outdoors, it’s important to consider that as an ornamental deciduous plant, its water needs decrease significantly during dormancy in colder months.
Soil
Plants in the Cotinus genus grow well in any soil type as long as it’s fertile and well-draining. The american smoketree is no different – it can tolerate various soil conditions, but damp, soggy, and waterlogged soils are an exception. You can grow this plant in loam, clay, and sand soil types and in a wide range of soil pH, from acidic to alkaline.

Fertilizing
For American smoketree, use balanced nutrition fertilizers to support robust growth and vivid foliage. Fertilize in spring with a slow-release formula, half-strength, to avoid overfeeding. Benefits include enhanced leaf color and health. Adjust quantities for the plant’s life stage—less for young, more as it matures. Always water after fertilizing to distribute nutrients and prevent root burn. Reapply every 6-8 weeks during growing season, but cease in late summer to prepare american smoketree for dormancy. Wear gloves and follow label instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Planting Instructions
Planting american smoketree is easy; you can start with cuttings or buy a ready-to-plant specimen from garden stores. Prepare a hole ideally double the size of your plant’s current pot, and then position your american smoketree in the hole so that it sits just slightly above ground level. Loosen the roots to help them grow and spread. Backfill with well-drained soil and water, stopping halfway through to tamp the soil down before finishing up. If your american smoketree is a Bush type, it can also be planted in a container.
Pruning

Pruning plays a crucial role in ensuring that your american smoketree grows to be healthy and attractive. Ideally, this should be performed in late fall to early spring, when the plant is done blooming. The method of pruning depends on your preference. You can keep it minimal, simply pruning to maintain a healthy form. Alternatively, you can cut the tree back to ground level during its first two years to encourage dramatic foliage and a denser form.
Propagation
American smoketree can be propagated by seeds. However, since its growth may take up to two years, using semi-hardwood stem cuttings is an easier method. Take cuttings that are less than a year old, while avoiding new growth. Prepare to root the cutting by removing the lower leaves, stripping off some bark from the bottom, and dipping it into a rooting hormone. Then, place it in a pot with a moist growing medium. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to retain moisture. Transfer the cutting to a larger pot once it has formed roots.
Transplanting

Lend a hand to your american smoketree by transplanting it in early spring to late winter (S2-S3). This timing allows the plant to firmly root before summer. Choose a sunny or partially shaded location. As a transplant tip, ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter.