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Smoke Tree Aftercare in the Pacific Northwest

Smoke Tree

Smoke Tree tree, Cotinus coggygria, mature specimen — species reference for Pacific Arboriculture homeowners in Auburn and the south Puget Sound.
Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria). Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cotinus_coggygria.jpg
Cotinus coggygria
  • Distinctive ‘smoky’ purple-pink flower panicles in summer give the species its name
  • Burgundy-purple leaf cultivars hold dark color from spring through fall
  • Dramatic orange-red fall color before leaf drop
  • Compact, multi-stemmed habit fits well in mid-sized landscapes

Smoke Tree is one of the most distinctive small ornamental trees available, named for the airy purple-pink flower panicles that fill the canopy in midsummer like wisps of colored smoke. Dark-leaved cultivars like ‘Royal Purple’ and ‘Grace’ hold burgundy color from spring through summer before transitioning to brilliant orange-red in fall. The compact multi-stemmed habit works as a focal specimen, an informal hedge, or a back-of-border anchor.

Planting and Care

  1. Planting. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil of any pH. Smoke Tree tolerates poor and rocky soils that defeat most ornamentals — in fact, lean soils produce stronger color and more compact growth than rich soils. Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the rootball, set the trunk flare at grade, backfill with native soil, water in, and mulch lightly.
  2. Watering. Deep weekly watering through the first growing season. Established Smoke Tree is highly drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplemental water in the south Puget Sound.
  3. Fertilizing. Smoke Tree rarely needs fertilization — in fact, rich soils produce floppy growth and reduced flowering. Avoid lawn fertilizer drift onto the root zone.
  4. Pruning. Two pruning approaches: (1) For maximum flower display, prune lightly in late winter to maintain a balanced framework. (2) For maximum foliage color and compact habit, hard-prune to 12–18 inches above ground each spring — sacrificing flowers for dramatic regrowth and leaf size.

Smoke Tree thrives in lean, well-drained south Puget Sound sites — hot, dry exposures in Auburn, Sumner, and Lake Tapps that defeat most ornamentals are perfect. Avoid rich amended soils and overhead irrigation that wet the foliage.

Need a Pacific Arboriculture ISA Certified Arborist to look at the smoke tree on the property?
Call (206) 909-2170 or request a free quote — Pacific Arboriculture provides residential and commercial tree services across Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tacoma, Federal Way, Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Maple Valley, and the wider south Puget Sound.

Return to Deciduous trees aftercare.

Smoke Tree Specs

Mature Height10–15 ft
Mature Width10–15 ft
SunlightFull Sun
Growth RateModerate
Botanical NameCotinus coggygria
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