The purple smoke is known by various names throughout the United States, some of the common slang names that are used for this tree are smoke tree, purple smokin' tree, smoke bush or simply the smokin' tree.
Botanical Information
The purple smoke tree belongs to the Plantae kingdom. Within the kingdom, it is consecutively classified into category, Angiosperms, sub-category Eudicots, and a subordinate to the sub-category by the name, Rosids. The tree belongs to the Sapindales order, which means that it is a flowering tree. It is further classified into the family of Anacardiaceaes, which means that it is flowering tree as well as a fruit-bearing plant.
Physical Characteristics
These smoke trees grow into either small trees or form clumps of medium-sized trees. The sizing of the plant depends on many different factors like its sub species, the terrain on which it is growing and also the amount of sunlight, care and nutrition that it receives. The leaves of the tree are deciduous in nature and have a tendency to grow in an alternative manner. An average leaf grows up to a length of about 3 to 13 cm and is ovular in shape. The flowers of the smoke tree are usually cluttered on the topmost portion of the tree and have an appearance of a grayish cloud. The pinnacle of the clump of flowers usually has a diameter of about 15 to 30 cm. The fruit of this tree is single seeded and is known as the drupe.
Habitat
This tree is a native to the warm and temperate regions of the northern hemispheres. Due to the attractive and beautiful features of the tree many botanists and greenhouse owners have replanted some young plants in the temperate regions in the southern hemisphere. The natural habitat of this tree stretches from Tennessee to Alabama and down to the wilderness of Texas.
Uses
The basic use of this plant is as an ornamental garden plant. If this breed of the smoke tree grows into a proper tree and not just a shrub, then it is usually planted in the corner of the garden. Most of the landscape experts call this phenomenon as an 'eye-catching' corner piece. In case of mansions, the landscape designers prefer to make this tree the centerpiece of the front garden or the porch.
If you are planning to plant this tree in your garden, then keep in mind that these small shrubs need a lot of trimming and pruning. If it's a small tree then a lot of disciplining of branches is required. It must be noted that this tree requires pruning annually, preferably in early spring time. The specialty of this tree is that it gets molded in the form that it is proved and remains so for about a year or so. The tree also needs a lot of care as it has a wooden bark that can get infested quickly. However, the end result is extremely beautiful and eye-catching. This tree proves to be a very important asset to impress your guests.
