Re: 'Royal Purple' Smokebush
MacTheTree@aol.com
Sun, 17 Aug 1997 15:32:28 -0500
I assume this tree is Cotinus coggygria "Royal purple".
The smoke tree can be pruned in two ways - Firstly it can be grown as a shrub for its foliage effect. This requires it to be pruned back hard each year in the dormant season and will lead to it developing larger, more attractive foliage.
The second method is to prune it for its flowers - this requires it to be cut back to a suitable growing point after it has flowered, as it flowers on the previous seasons growth.
I hope this has been of some help.
Ian McDermott
Sandwell Urban Forestry.