American Smoke Tree

Other names

Chittamwood

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

TN, AL & Edwards Plateau of TX

Location

Conifer Slope

Source of plant

Forestfarm Nursery, Gossler Farms Nursery, Planting Fields Arboretum, Princeton Nurseries

Description

Upright, round-headed tree or shrub, reaching 20' to 30' in height. Bluish to dark green leaves turnmagnificent orange, red, and reddish-purple in fall; it may be the best American small tree for intensity ofcolor. Bark is gray to gray-brown and scaly. Flowers are dioecious, with the male being showier than thefemale; panicles range from 6" to 10" in length, and 4 1/2" to 7 1/2" in width. Fruit production is sparse.Well adapted to limestone soils.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

fall color, other ethnobotanical uses