Family

Anarcardiaceae

Description

The smoke tree is known for its large fluffy gray seed panicle cloud which inspires its name. It interestingly is in the poison ivy family along with sumac, but its milky sap is not as toxic. It is best grown in dry sparse soils which keeps in growth sparse and improves the fall color. In moister areas it tends to be a short lived tree that often needs to be cut back and is susceptible to disease. The American smoke tree which has a limited disjunct range in the southern US has much brighter fall color, but the cloud of seeds is diminished.

Bloom Time

June

Type

tree