American Smoketree plant profile
Cotinus obovatus
A perennial tree for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant American Smoketree
Plant this deciduous tree while dormant, in fall or early spring. Extension guidance rates fall (after leaf drop, with time for roots to establish) and early spring (before bud break) as the best windows; avoid planting into summer heat.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open American Smoketree in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 5 to 8.5
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 240 to 360 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: leaf spot, rust, wilt in stressed trees, overwatering and overfertilizing stress.
Next steps
Continue with American Smoketree
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Cotinus obovatus (American Smoketree)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Planting Trees Correctly (HGIC 1001)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports planting reference. Checked 2026-06-18.