American smoketree is a deciduous, large shrub or small tree typically growing 20-30' tall with an open, round crown and is native to southeastern United States. It is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. Huge pale green clusters of flower heads with silken hairs, up to 12" across, form the appearance of "smoke" in late spring. Bark is an attractive gray-brown and scaly when mature. An orange or yellow dye can be obtained from the wood which was extensively used in America at the time of the Civil War, but is little used commercially at present. The young leaves have an aromatic fragrance when bruised or crushed. The plant is grown for its excellent fall foliage (shown here) which turns a variety of colors, including yellow, red, orange and reddish purple, and produces some of the best fall color of any of the native American trees and shrubs. You can see American smoketree in the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection.