Smoke Tree
Arbor Walk #75, TreeKeeper ID #2753
This small 10-15 foot Eurasian tree is best known for the show it puts on annually; smoke trees produce pink to purple hair-like strands that emerge from their flowers each summer, appearing to be a “smoke” that covers the tree. The ‘Ancot’ cultivar has been bred to produce golden-green leaves rather than the traditional green leaves. In fall this tree’s leaves can turn a variety of colors, from amber to scarlet to green. This cultivar grows best in well drained soils because it has a shallow root system. The Smoke Tree is mainly used for decorative purposes, and has no serious disease or insect threats.
| Common Name | Smoke Tree |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Cotinus coggygria |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | ‘Ancot’ |
| Commercial Name | GOLDEN SPIRIT |
Global Distribution
Map coming soon
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Danforth House, 29.57 m | Shepley House, 59.12 m | Wheeler House, 59.66 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | River Birch, 5.73 m | Smoke Tree, 3.65 m | River Birch, 4.06 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Caliper (m) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.9786 | 3.2 | N/A | 2.46 | 2.72 | 2.59 |
| 2023 | 4.64 | 47/12 | N/A | 2.65 | 2.1 | 2.375 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 bird nest Several bunches of old, webbed-up leave that may be old webworm/tentworm nests |
Leaf Identification
The leaf of the Smoke Tree is simple (no leaflets), alternately arranged on the stem, and unlobed. Its shape is broadly elliptic to almost circular with a bluntly pointed tip, and can reach 3″ in length. The ‘Ancot’ cultivar has yellow-green leaves which turn maroon in the fall.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig matures from green to tan, and is not zig zag.
Bark Identification
The bark is dark gray and covered in small thin plates, with little to no furrowing present between the plates. Multiple trunks will often develop from one tree.
Fruit Identification
The fruits of the Smoke Tree are drupes, developing singly on long pink stalks. The fruits range in shape from teardrop-shaped to kidney-shaped. They ripen in the fall.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the Smoke Tree emerge on multi-branched panicles. The flowers are inconspicuous and green-yellow. After the flowers bloom in the spring, the pedicels (individual flower stalks) develop long, silky, pink-purple hairs through the summer.
‘Ancot’ Identification
The ‘Ancot’ cultivar of the Smoke Tree is golden-leaved and develops a variety of autumn hues in its fall foliage.
