Looking for something fun to add to your garden? I’ve got a great idea – have you ever thought about growing an American smoke tree as a bush? If not, now’s the perfect time to try it!
It’s pretty, native, and friendly to your wallet and the planet. The U.S. Forest Service says it makes an excellent fencing shrub for privacy. It thrives in many types of soil and is pretty hardy (no special requirements here).
However, if you want to keep it looking bushy, you’ll need to prune it. If you skip this step, it might grow like a small tree instead of a bush. But don’t worry, though, because pruning isn’t hard at all!
I’ll walk you through all the necessary pruning techniques you need to grow an American smoke bush.
Prune It In Early Spring Or Late Fall
First of all, you’ll need to buy the tree – you can find cute saplings at local nurseries and tree farms that specialize in native plants.
Two fun choices are the Cotton Candy American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus ‘Northstar‘), which has pretty peach-colored puffs, and Cotinus ‘Grace’, a mix of the European and American varieties with deep purple leaves in spring.
Whichever tree you pick, remember that these little guys grow slowly, so you’ll need to be patient while waiting for some backyard privacy!
Taking care of this shrub is super easy. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8 and have heavy clay soil, you can go ahead and grow one – full sun and some watering is all they need to thrive.
I’ve already mentioned that the American smoke tree is a great choice for a border shrub, but it needs regular trimming to stay bushy. It’s best to prune this shrub in early spring before they start blooming or in late fall after the blooms have faded.
You can also trim it in winter, but don’t cut it too much, or you might miss those lovely flowers next season.
Also watch out for issues like leaf spots, rust, verticillium wilt, and scale – if they occur, immediately start treating them so they don’t spread!
Related: 40 Cool Things For Your Backyard You Never Knew You Needed
It’s Great For Privacy, Aesthetics, And Wildlife
The American smoke tree is a favorite among city planners because it’s a great choice for planting along streets, especially under power lines and street lights.
Homeowners also love it for creating a fun and private garden. While it is technically a tree, it won’t grow larger than 30 feet tall and wide. It has roots that are shallow and stringy, which means you don’t have to worry about cracked concrete or lifted patio stones.
This tree can stick around for at least 60 years, so you won’t need to replace your privacy hedge anytime soon!
And if you are a bird lover, native plants like the American smoke tree attract all kinds of feathered friends, providing shelter and nesting spots.
During fall, these trees adorn the landscape with stunning shades of purple, orange, red, and yellow (true fall magic).
But before you get too excited, the American smoke tree isn’t without its quirks. It has a sap that contains urushiol, which can irritate the skin, so make sure to always wear thick gloves when you prune.
Since it’s deciduous, you’ll be raking up leaves in the fall and winter if you want to keep your outdoor space tidy (tiring, I know). The bark is beautiful but can flake off, so it can create a bit of a mess on your patio or lawn (though you can clean it in no time).
So, when adding trees or shrubs in your garden, it’s always a good idea to take into consideration both the advantages and disadvantages.
The American smoke tree is definitely worth a little extra effort – sure, you’ll have to rake up some leaves, but you’ll get a beautiful privacy shrub in return!
Also read: 14 Breathtaking Low-maintenance Hedging Plants For Your Garden