Cotinus obovatus
American Smoketree; Chittamwood
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average mature size of 20-30' tall and wide. Medium growth rate.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are greenish, dioecious with the male flowers being showier, in panicles 6-10" long and 4-7" wide, in May. Fruits are hard, small, less than 0.5" in diameter, and usually inconspicuous.
Leaf and Bark Features
Magnificant yellow, orange, amber, red, and reddish purple fall color. Bark is gray to gray-brown scaly bark resembling fish scales.
Culture and Care
Plant in full sun. Adaptable to many soils (well adapted to limestone soils), easily transplanted and established.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Some of the best fall color of any small tree, this tree only gets better with age. The species was almost lost during the Civil War because of its use for a yellow to orange dye.