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- Q.Smoke Bush Dead Or Alive? - How can I tell if part of my Smoke Bush is dead. I have leaves on the lower branches and ...
- Q.Can A Smoke Tree In A Containe Be Brought Inside For The Winter?r - I have a 2 foot smoke tree in a container and it's doing great. Can I bring it inside during ...
- Q.Smoke Bush (tree) Looks Dead By Mid-summer Every Year - I have three very large purple smoke bushes, possibly 40+ years old, in southern and western light; they were here ...
- Q.Purple Smoke Tree Leaves Are Turning Yellow - Purple smoke tree leaves are turning yellow with black spots before turning brown and falling off.
- Q.Why Has Our Cotinus Got Small Leaves When Last Year They Were Large? - I have fed it with Miracle Grow.
- Q.20 Year Old Smoke Tree Has Dead Branches. - Though branches are dead on half of my 20 year old smoke tree, growth has started on the trunk. If ...
- Q.I Have A Very Overgrown European Smoke Plant. Can I Cut It Back Just Now Without Damaging? - If I can cut back, where would I cut from?
Asked by
Anonymous on
June 5, 2021Q.Smoke Bush Dead Or Alive?
How can I tell if part of my Smoke Bush is dead. I have leaves on the lower branches and one other branch. When I cut some of the branches not leafing out it appears that it is still alive. There is some green just under the bark. Also it looks like most of the branches not blooming have had cold weather damage and are dry. I planted this bush about 4 years ago and this year it appears to not be doing well.
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 12, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Try pruning it and see if that encourages leaf growth. On the lower branches, determine if the smoke tree was grafted, there will be a visible place near the base where you can see a bulge or a line across the trunk. If it is grafted, you need to remove the suckers coming from below the graft.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/pruning-smoke-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/growing-smoke-trees.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
June 10, 2021Q.Can A Smoke Tree In A Containe Be Brought Inside For The Winter?r
I have a 2 foot smoke tree in a container and it's doing great. Can I bring it inside during the winter or does it have to go into the dormant stage?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 17, 2021
Certified ExpertA.You can put it in a garage for the winter to protect the roots from severe weather. Water it lightly about once a month. Too much water will cause root rot. Then return it outside in the spring.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/smoke-trees-in-containers.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
chippity on
August 20, 2021
Dayton, OHQ.Smoke Bush (tree) Looks Dead By Mid-summer Every Year
I have three very large purple smoke bushes, possibly 40+ years old, in southern and western light; they were here when I moved in. I live in southern Ohio (zone 6). They always come up beautifully in May and stay that way until mid-June. When it gets really hot (high 80s - 90s), and we get less rain, the leaves start to die. Usually this happens in early/mid July. This year the bushes have lasted a little longer and look kind of mediocre instead of fully in the throes of dropping dead. The heat was not as bad and the rain lasted a little longer into the summer than usual and this makes me think that the heat is the problem. The lawn service prunes them, once in June and once in August. I do not water them. I'm wondering - should I? Are they croaking because of lack of water or because the heat is too challenging (or both?)? I've read that smoke bush is drought tolerant. I don't think they have vert wilt because then they wouldn't be able to rise back up every year - yes?
- Answered by
luis_pr on
August 21, 2021A.Are you watering enough? They are unfazed by my 100+ degree temps from July through September but they can suffer from verticillium wilt, which will cause sudden dying back of the branches. If the plant does become infected with this soil-borne fungus, it must be replaced. I never prune mine.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/smoke-tree-verticillium-wilt.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 17, 2021Q.Purple Smoke Tree Leaves Are Turning Yellow
Purple smoke tree leaves are turning yellow with black spots before turning brown and falling off.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 29, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This looks bacterial. Usually, treating with a fungicide, keeping all infected growth cut and away from the area, and making sure that the top few inches of soil dry out thoroughly between waterings will help.
These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/smoke-trees-in-containers.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Pipls57 on
June 8, 2022
CO8 5LAQ.Why Has Our Cotinus Got Small Leaves When Last Year They Were Large?
I have fed it with Miracle Grow.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 8, 2022
Certified ExpertA.Unfortunately, your photos did not come through. I am unable to see the damage.
If the soil was not tested prior to planting, and it was fed on top of sufficient nutrients, then it could be due to high nutrient content of the soil. I would test and make sure.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/test-soil-for-pests-and-diseases.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/making-sure-soil-drains-well.htm
Once you get some results, then you can begin to correct the issue. Unfortunately, without a test, it will be hard to say what is going on.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/growing-smoke-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 3, 2022Q.20 Year Old Smoke Tree Has Dead Branches.
Though branches are dead on half of my 20 year old smoke tree, growth has started on the trunk. If I remove all the dead will it revive as a new plant? I realize the life expectancy is around 20 years
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
July 13, 2022
Certified ExpertA.You can cut it to the ground to rejuvenate it. You might try that as one last effort to get it going.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/pruning-smoke-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Andrea Cooper on
July 26, 2022
Kirkintilloch G662JGQ.I Have A Very Overgrown European Smoke Plant. Can I Cut It Back Just Now Without Damaging?
If I can cut back, where would I cut from?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 26, 2022
Certified ExpertA.No, this must be done during dormancy, or very early in the year. This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/pruning-smoke-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00
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