Growing And Planting Smoke Trees In The Landscape

Growing Smoke Trees: How To Grow A Smoke Tree In Your Yard

Have you ever seen a smoke tree (European, Cotinus coggygria or American, Cotinus obovatus)?

Growing smoke trees is something people do to make great looking shrub borders or even just a pretty patio or accent tree in a front yard garden. When in full bloom, they have gorgeous reddish brown or dark mauve feathery flowers that make the tree look like a puff of smoke.

Planting smoke trees is easy enough. These trees make a great landscaping addition to most front yards.

A lot of gardeners prefer to use smoke trees as impressive accent trees similar to the Japanese maple.

Planting smoke trees on the borders of your yard is another excellent idea for a pretty boundary that separates your yard from your neighbor's, and one that both you and your neighbor will enjoy.

Tips for Growing Smoke Trees

If you are planting smoke trees in your yard, purchase a good healthy tree from your local garden center.

They grow well in a high pH soil and should be located where they can get full sun or partial shade. In full sun they will bloom at their best.

A smoke tree in bloom is beautiful. The flowers that resemble a puff of smoke will last most of the summer before they fall off and fade in the fall.

Growing smoke trees is fairly easy but be careful not to damage the bark. The bark is thin can be easily damaged by being hit with a lawnmower or other gardening equipment such as whackers.

Pruning a Smoke Tree

This tree will droop as it gets larger, so pruning your growing smoke trees is important. Wait until late fall or early spring to prune after the tree has finished blooming.

Pruning your smoke tree will ensure that it grows up strong. Further, keeping the soil alkaline should contribute to its ongoing health. You can get food for the tree or treatments for the soil from your local garden center.