Photo: Kurt Stüber [1], CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
Smoke-tree: when and how to prune
Cotinus coggygria
Smoke-tree is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–July |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Smoke-tree: when to prune it?
End of winter (March).
What else to prune in those months? March
Smoke-tree: how to prune it?
- For the plumes, let it grow freely: only remove dead, damaged or crossing branches.
- If you mainly want large, richly coloured leaves, cut the branches back to 2–3 buds every spring: you get large leaves, but no plumes.
- Reduce an oversized shrub gradually: every year, saw a few of the oldest branches off at the base.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Hard pruning costs you that summer’s plumes, as the flower clusters form on last year’s wood. So choose between plumes and large leaves.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from ninebark
Plant profile: Smoke-tree · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.