American Smoketree
Folgerj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History: Once abundant in the Southeast, the native American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus), was detrimentally harvested in large quantities to extract dye during the Civil War Era. The heartwood of the smoketree is a vibrant yellow-orange color that was used in soldiers' uniforms and sashes. Today, it is rare to see a native smoketree in the wild, even on our 300-acre property. One of our only specimens resides on the eastern side of our Upper Pond.
With the help of the American Battlefield Trust, Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center has the opportunity to preserve and restore some of the native plant communities that had once thrived on Lookout Mountain during this historic era, such as the smoketree. In the future, we hope to plant several American Smoketree here at Reflection Riding to help this species reclaim its historic habitat and to showcase its amazing natural heritage.
Profile/Benefits: Cotinus obovatus is an upright, compact tree or large deciduous shrub that typically grows to a height of 15-20 ft, but on some occasions can grow upwards of 30 ft tall with a beautiful rounded canopy. Known as an adaptable species, native smoketree grows best in a full-sun environment with medium, well-draining soils, but is usually naturally occurring in drier, limestone bluffs, glades, and balds -meaning they tolerate poor and infertile soils well. It does not, however, respond well to rich, fertile, overly-watered soils.
In the spring, the smoketree produces clusters of small, yellowish-green blooms that attract bees and butterflies like a magnet. Once blooming succeeds, the seedheads turn into brilliant, long, billowy, pinkish-purple stalks that hang down from the branches. The shape and color of their spent blooms is, not surprisingly, where the smoketree gets its namesake! In the fall, the leaves of this tree/shrub become a mosaic of orange-yellow-red-purple.
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Landscaping: The American Smoketree is a versatile, compact native tree/shrub. Its ability to adapt to a variety of soil conditions makes it an easy incorporation into almost any landscape. Intolerant of wet soils, this specimen is recommended for medium to drier areas of the scape. The shallow, fibrous root systems of the smoketree allows it to be planted closer to walkways, patios, and other structures. Commonly, it is used as a stand-alone accent piece, but can also be formed into a striking hedgerow. Oftentimes, commercial nurseries will sell the non-native, Eurasian variety of Smoketree that does not grow to be as large or adaptable as its native counterpart (Cotinus coggygria).
By Hannah Lieffring, Nursery Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator
Hannah is a dedicated field biologist who genuinely loves to explore nature and observe how people interact with the natural world. Having such an extensive volunteer background herself, she hopes to help other like-minded individuals find opportunities volunteering in nature, as well.