While compost is useful to get the smoketree established, after it’s settled in poorer quality soil will result in a more compact and bushier shrub. If the soil is too fertile the tree tends to grow too quickly, taking on a coarse appearance more seriously they also become prone to verticillium wilt and won’t survive more than a few years. However, slightly unusually, they do best in less fertile ground. Clay, loam or sandy soil are all suitable. Smoketrees are very tolerant of different soil types and can grow well in acidic, neutral or alkaline ground. Water well and leave to stand for a few hours check to ensure that the soil is moist but not saturated add more water if required. Spread a two inch layer of mulch – shredded bark or wood chippings are ideal – inside the ring, leaving a small gap around the trunk to prevent rot. The next step is to build a three-inch high ring of soil around the base of the tree, slightly wider than the root ball. Water lightly to settle the soil around the roots then fill the hole the rest of the way and tamp it down gently. Place the tree upright in the center of the hole and half fill it with the earth and compost mix. Unwind any roots that have encircled the ball, and loosen the mass. Next, unwrap the tree’s root ball and remove any string or wire. Mix compost into the soil you dug out, at a ratio of about one part compost to five parts soil. Check the size of the root ball dig a hole twice as wide as it, and as deep as the ball is high. Once your tree arrives you should prepare the ground for planting. When to plant: The best time to plant a smoketree is in late spring, when the chance of a late frost has passed.įollowing our in-depth guide below, which will give you the best chance of success at planting a smoketree:Ĭhoose the smoketree that suits your garden best, taking account of climate, soil conditions and space – then order it from The Tree Center. Water: Smoketrees don’t need a lot of water once they’re established but they do need some when they’ve been recently planted – usually weekly for the first year, then every two weeks for another two years. Most varieties can tolerate light shade but the foliage and flowers will be much more spectacular if the tree gets sun all day. Once you’ve decided what smoke tree will suit your garden, order it from us. The best way to ensure this is to buy one from a reputable nursery like The Tree Center. Choosing one that’s been properly cared for in the early stages of its life will give you a tree that’s healthier, less stressed and not as vulnerable to pests or disease. Smoketrees aren’t difficult to grow, but success does depend on getting a high quality tree. Here’s a guide to the essentials you need to know. That means before buying one you should spend some time to choose the best variety for your needs, pick the ideal spot for it and make sure you know everything necessary to get the best results. This effect, combined with their attractive foliage and spectacular fall colors, have made them a firm favorite especially for naturalized gardens.Ī smoketree isn’t large but it will normally live for decades, so you should view it as a long-term addition to your garden. Most of them are shrubs or small trees, usually growing up to about fifteen feet high – although some can reach up to 30 feet – and they’re best known for the delicate flowers that between June and September make them look as if they’re shrouded in pinkish smoke. Found throughout the warmer parts of the northern hemisphere, including across the southeastern United States, the American and Eurasian smoketrees are both so popular that there are now dozens of cultivated varieties to choose from. There are two kinds of plants commonly known as smoketrees, but among gardeners, the name’s usually applied to two species in the genus Cotinus.
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