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AVTreeFarm  
Trees that we have in stock and grow

Smoke Tree
"Cotinus Coggygria"

 
Smoke Tree
"Cotinus Coggygria" "Purpuoreus"

 


 
Smoke Tree
"Cotinus Coggygria" "Purpuoreus"

Available in 5 gal pots

 

 
























 

This slow growing, open crown, round, small tree eventually reaches to 12 to 15 feet tall (occasionally 20) and 10 to 12 feet wide (Fig. 1). The large panicles of wispy dark pink flowers produced in spring and early summer give the effect of a cloud of smoke.

Leaves emerge purple and fade to dark green in the summer. They make a wonderful accent in a shrub border and can be planted as a specimen or as a patio tree where the black, showy, multiple trunk can be displayed. Planting Smoketree is a good way to extend the spring flowering-tree season into the summer before the Crape-Myrtles come into full bloom. Fall color is usually good to excellent and ranges from yellow to orange and brilliant red-purple.


          GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientific name: Cotinus coggygria ‘Purpureus’
Pronunciation: koe-TYE-nus koe-GUY-gree-uh
Common name(s): ‘Purpureus’ Smoketree,‘Purpureus’ Wig-Tree, ‘Purpureus’ Smokebush
Family: Anacardiaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 5 through 8
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: container or above-ground planter; large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size); wide tree lawns(>6 feet wide); medium-sized parking lot islands (100-200 square feet in size); medium-sized tree lawns (4-6 feet wide); recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck or patio; reclamation plant; screen; trainable as a standard; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns (3-4 feet wide); specimen; residential street tree
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

 DESCRIPTION 

Height: 12 to 15 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: round
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: slow

plant; screen; trainable as a standard; small parking lot

islands (< 100 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns

(3-4 feet wide); specimen; residential street tree

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out

of the region to find the tree

 

Culture

 

Light requirement: tree grows in full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; acidic; alkaline;

well-drained

Drought tolerance: high

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerance: moderate

 

Other

 

Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamental

features and could be planted more

Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: susceptible

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not

affected by pests

 

USE AND MANAGEMENT

 

The tree is tough and adapts to restricted soil

spaces. It could be used along a street under power

lines and would not require pruning for many years. It

is a small tree, well-adapted to urban areas with almost

year-round interest which should be used more in our

landscapes.

 

Smoketree grows best in a sunny location and a

well-drained loam. It will grow asymmetrically and

lean toward the light in a partially sunny area, so it is

best to locate it in full day sun where the crown will

develop symmetrically. Though sometimes short-lived

in rich soil, Smoketree is useful in dry, rocky soil

where there is no irrigation. It also grows in a wide

range of soil pH, including alkaline. Probably shortlived
(20 years - maybe more) in most situations.  


Propagation of cultivars:  is by cuttings. 

Cultivars include: ‘Daydream’ - heavy production of panicles, dense habit of growth; ‘Flame’ - brilliant orange-red fall color, pink inflorescences; ‘Nordine’ - resembles ‘Royal Purple’; ‘Notcutt’s Variety’ - dark maroon-purple leaves (also known as ‘Foliis Purpureis Notcutt’s Variety’ and ‘Rubrifolius’); ‘Royal Purple’ - leaves are darker purple than ‘Notcutt’s Variety’, rich red-purple fall color, purplish-red inflorescences; ‘Pendulus’ - pendulous branches; and ‘Velvet Cloak’ - dark purple-leaf form, spectacular fall color of reddish- purple plant; screen; trainable as a standard; small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet in size); narrow tree lawns (3-4 feet wide); specimen; residential street tree.

Availability:  5 gal pots

 



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