Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Smoketree
Cotinus coggygria
Whole tree — Cotinus coggygria. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeJames St. John ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
Problems to recognize in WNC gardens. These are documented susceptibilities, not a local outbreak report or a diagnosis. Weather, elevation and growing conditions change the risk.
Diseases & similar-looking injury
Usually has few problems; leaf spots, rust and Verticillium wilt are possible.
Insects to recognize
No major insect problem is emphasized in the NC State profile.
When to look
Check foliage and sudden branch wilt through the growing season.
A useful first step
Have ongoing wilt diagnosed and assess drainage before treatment.
More growing details
Read the leaves
Simple rounded or oval leaves attach alternately. Leaf color varies among garden trees and does not establish identity.
Read the bark
Gray-brown bark becomes scaly with age.
Fruit & seed
The smoky plumes consist mainly of elongated hairy flower stalks; small dry fruits are scattered within them.
Winter character
Fine alternate twigs need leaves or flower remains for stronger identification.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
WNC Notes
An introduced tree or large shrub. Leaf color varies; allow room for its spreading habit and provide suitable drainage.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
10–15
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
10–15
BLOOM SEASON
Late spring–summer
BLOOM COLOR
Catkins
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow-brown
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High–high
Drought Tolerance
Low
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Whole tree — Cotinus coggygria. Species reference; the photographed specimen does not confirm the named variety. Age, pruning, and site affect its shape.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeJames St. John ↗ · CC BY 2.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Cotinus Coggygria. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy Dewitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.
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