American Smoketree

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cotinus obovatus

Last reviewed: September 2026

American smoketree is a small to medium deciduous tree that blooms March through May, producing hazy pink-purple plumes. It thrives in full sun on dry, rocky slopes and offers vivid orange and red fall color.

Toxicity unknown

American Smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

180"–300" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, GA, KY and 4 more states

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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American Smoketree is a large native tree known for its spectacular fall color display of orange, red, and purple leaves. In spring, it produces distinctive feathery, smoke-like flower clusters that give the tree its common name. This drought-tolerant tree develops an irregular, open branching pattern that becomes more picturesque with age.

Growing American Smoketree

Grow American Smoketree in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 180 to 300 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Smoketree takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract various small insects and bees. Birds may use the tree for nesting and shelter, though it's not a primary wildlife magnet compared to other native trees.

Common questions

When does American smoketree bloom?: American smoketree blooms in March, April and May, producing loose, airy flower clusters that later turn into the smoky pink-purple plumes it is named for.
How much water does American smoketree need?: This tree tolerates low water once established and grows well in dry, rocky, well-drained soils, though it can handle occasional moist conditions.
How much sun does it need?: American smoketree grows best in full sun but will tolerate part sun to part shade, especially on rocky slopes and open woodland edges.
What does American smoketree look like in fall?: In autumn the foliage turns shades of yellow, orange, red and deep purple, making it one of the more striking small trees for fall color.
How large does American smoketree get?: It typically grows as a small to medium tree, often 20 to 30 feet tall, with an irregular, rounded crown.
Is American Smoketree HOA-friendly?: American Smoketree takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Common questions

When does American smoketree bloom?

American smoketree blooms in March, April and May, producing loose, airy flower clusters that later turn into the smoky pink-purple plumes it is named for.

How much water does American smoketree need?

This tree tolerates low water once established and grows well in dry, rocky, well-drained soils, though it can handle occasional moist conditions.

How much sun does it need?

American smoketree grows best in full sun but will tolerate part sun to part shade, especially on rocky slopes and open woodland edges.

What does American smoketree look like in fall?

In autumn the foliage turns shades of yellow, orange, red and deep purple, making it one of the more striking small trees for fall color.

How large does American smoketree get?

It typically grows as a small to medium tree, often 20 to 30 feet tall, with an irregular, rounded crown.

Is American Smoketree HOA-friendly?

American Smoketree takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides