Skip to main content
Cornell University

Species: Cotinus obovatus

(koe-tie'nus ob-oh-vay'tus)

Cotinus obovatus

American Smoketree

Found on Course Walks

Dry Site Plants

Map of plant locations

(Plant location data may be incomplete)

In Collection(s):

Recommended Urban Trees Collection

Cultivars

This species has almost no cultivars and any that exist are rare. It has a lot of potential, particularly for creating cultivars with superior fall color, improved urban hardiness; improved form; and superior panicle color/yield. Keep an eye out for new varieties in the future.

'Grace', 'Red Leaf'

Ornamental Characteristics

Tree < 30 feet, Shrub > 8 feet

20' - 30; (variable spread)

Deciduous

upright, oval/rounded shrub, more tree-like than C. Coggygria

Environmental Characteristics

Full sun

5b

blue-green leaves turn intense yellow, orange, red, purple in fall;

Yes

Consistently moist, well-drained soil; Occasional periods of dry soil; Prolonged periods of dry soil
See graphic below

Insect Disease

none serious; weak wood susceptible to ice damage

Bare Root Transplanting

Difficult

Other

Native to South and Midwest US, Difficult to Transplant

Native Range Map

Native Range Map Image

Moisture Tolerance Graphic

Please view this page on a tablet or larger screen for the moisture graph

Moisture Tolerance

Moisture graphic
Occasionally saturated or very wet soil
Consistently moist, well-drained soil
Occasional periods of dry soil
Prolonged periods of dry soil
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12