Cotinus obovatus aka Chittamwood

Cotinus obovatus, or American smoketree, belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. This deciduous tree grows in the central and southeastern United States. Its range reaches from Kentucky and Tennessee west to Oklahoma. Separate groups also grow in central Texas. Wild trees grow on rocky slopes, limestone bluffs, and glades. In gardens, it forms a small tree or large shrub.

Most garden plants reach 20–30 feet (6.1–9.1 m) tall and wide. Some trees reach 50 feet (15.2 m), beyond the usual range. The crown has a rounded or upright oval shape. Several trunks and twisted limbs can give it an uneven outline. Gray-brown bark develops grooves and small, loose plates with age. Young twigs are reddish green, then turn gray-brown. The simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. Each leaf widens above its middle and has smooth edges. Its tip may have a slight notch. Blue-green summer leaves turn yellow, orange, red, or purple in fall.

Small yellow-green flowers appear in May and June. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. The flowers form loose panicles but offer little color themselves. Long hairs on the spent flower stalks create the summer display. These turn pink to purple and resemble clouds of smoke. Male trees may give the stronger display. Only a few fruits form among the branched clusters. Each small, dry, pale-brown drupe holds one seed. The fruit matures during summer and adds little visual interest.

Grow this tree in full sun for its preferred setting. It also tolerates partial shade and many soil types. These include clay, sand, loam, and poor rocky ground. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils with good drainage. Lean loam suits it, while lasting wetness can cause harm. It tolerates drought, though sources also recommend moderate soil moisture. Too much water or fertilizer can damage the tree. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8 and UK rating H6.

Use it as a specimen or in groups behind shrubs. Its summer plumes, fall leaves, and bark provide seasonal interest. It attracts butterflies and gives birds and other wildlife cover. Deer seldom cause damage, and serious pest problems are uncommon. Leaf spots, rust, and wilt can affect stressed trees. Other risks include powdery mildew and, rarely, honey fungus. People once used its wood for yellow or orange dye. The wood also serves locally as fence posts. No edible or medicinal uses are reported. PFAF describes it as nonpoisonous, but skin contact may cause dermatitis.